CHRISTCHURCH (Web Desk) – Kane Williamson celebrated his return to Test cricket on Tuesday with his 38th half-century before his dismissal ignited a New Zealand collapse on day one of the first Test against the West Indies in Christchurch.
The West Indies took four wickets in the middle session to leave New Zealand 128-5 at tea with Tom Blundell on 16 and Michael Bracewell yet to score.
Williamson, playing his first Test in a year, had an earlier than expected summons to the middle when opener Devon Conway was removed on the third ball of the Test.
In what were ideal swing and seam conditions for pace bowlers, a disciplined Williamson blunted the West Indies attack.
On a green deck complemented by a heavy cloud cover, he worked his way to 52 before he edged a Justin Greaves delivery to Alick Athanaze at second slip.
Tom Latham, who shared in a 93-run stand with Williamson for the second wicket, was removed in Greaves’ following over for 24 and Rachin Ravindra was bowled for three in the next over by Jayden Seales.
From 94-1 New Zealand slumped to 103-4.
Blundell and Will Young began to repair the innings and put on 17 for the fifth wicket before Young, on 14, gave Johann Layne his maiden Test wicket, caught by Greaves in the slip cordon.
Greaves, the most successful of the West Indies bowlers with 2-18, was also involved in the first wicket of the day when he caught Conway to give Kemar Roach the early dismissal.
