The West Indies, powered by heroic rearguard efforts from Justin Greaves, Shai Hope and Kemar Roach, pulled off a sensational draw in the opening Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Saturday.

Resuming the final day on 212 for 4 and needing an improbable 522 for victory, the Caribbean side battled to 457 for 6 from 163.3 overs — their longest fourth-innings effort in 95 years — before both captains agreed to call time on a gripping contest.

Greaves was the centrepiece of the resistance, compiling a career-best and unbeaten 202 to steer the innings through multiple pressure moments. Having played the supporting role during a critical 196-run, fifth-wicket partnership with Shai Hope — which pulled the tourists from 72 for 4 on Day 4 — the 31-year-old right-hander took full command after Hope fell for a superb 140 early in the morning session.

Tevin Imlach’s dismissal shortly after for four placed the visitors back on the brink, but Greaves stood firm. The Barbadian all-rounder inched steadily toward a historic milestone and brought up his maiden Test double century in the penultimate over of the match, slicing Jacob Duffy over backward point. His marathon knock spanned 388 deliveries and featured 19 boundaries.

Just as vital was the unbroken 180-run seventh-wicket stand between Greaves and veteran seamer Kemar Roach, whose defiant, career-first Test half-century (58 not out) frustrated the New Zealand attack deep into the final session. The 37 year old made just 5 off the last 104 deliveries in the final two hours of play in a 233 ball stay in what was his comeback Test.

Earlier, the Greaves-Hope partnership had laid the foundation for survival. Hope, who resumed the day on 116, added 24 more runs before being dismissed for 140 — a knock of equal importance in keeping the visitors afloat.

Final Scores:
New Zealand 231 & 466-8 declared; West Indies 167 & 457-6

The result gives West Indies their first points of the 2025–2027 ICC World Test Championship cycle after five previous defeats, offering a timely confidence boost ahead of the second Test, which bowls off on December 9 in Wellington.