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It was a hard day to watch – Simmons

Published:Saturday | December 12, 2020 | 10:24 AMLennox Aldred/Gleaner Writer
Simmons
Simmons

West Indies head coach Phil Simmons said the second day's play of the second Test against New Zealand was a hard day of cricket to watch, as his side was totally outplayed by the hosts at the Basin Reserve in Wellington.

At stumps, the West Indies were in tatters on 124 for eight replying to the Kiwi's first innings score of 460.

Once again, Jamaican Jermaine Blackwood has taken the fight to the resolute New Zealand pace quartet, as his innings of 69 is the only real score of note, on a sorry looking West Indies scorecard.

Wicket-keeper Joshua Da Silva is not out on two, while Chemar Holder will resume later today on five.

Pacer Kyle Jamieson has so far ripped the hearts out of the regional side's batting, claiming five for 34 from 13 overs, while Tim Southee has so far bagged three for 29.

Earlier, Henry Nicholls extended his overnight century to a career-best 174, while number ten batsman Neil Wagner, scored an unbeaten career-best 66 in his 50th Test innings.

There were three wickets for Shannon Gabriel and Alzarri Joseph with Chemar Holder and Roston Chase picking up two wickets each.

For the West Indies, it was a day in the field they would want to forget, with several chances going a-begging.

"I think it is something we brought on ourselves. We dropped one batsman four or five times and he goes on to make 170 odd then you are asking for trouble. Then we didn't bat as well as we should have been batting on a wicket that seems good for batting. We put ourselves in a position that only us can try and take ourselves out of," said Simmons.

With the visitors still trailing by 366 runs with two wickets in hand, another follow on looks eminent, however, Simmons is urging his players to show some fight and resolve heading into today's third day.

"We need to see some sort of fight on both sides. I can't say enough about the effort our bowlers have but in, we need the batsman to match that," added Simmons.

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