The Lost Art of Resistance: Justin Greaves and the Day Test Cricket Remembered Itself

In an age where Test cricket increasingly borrows the impatience of limited-overs formats, the idea of batting for survival—once the game’s highest form of discipline—often feels antiquated. Defensive mastery, the ability to dull the ball, drain the bowlers, and stretch time until it bends, has become a rarity. Innovation, aggression, and risk-taking dominate modern narratives; attrition is frequently dismissed as anachronistic.

Yet at Christchurch, Test cricket briefly reclaimed its oldest truth. And the reminder came from a West Indies side many believed had forgotten how to play the longest format.

The Long Stand That Rewrote Momentum

Set an unprecedented target of 531 at Hagley Oval, West Indies appeared destined for defeat when they slipped to 92 for 4. What followed instead was an innings steeped in patience and resolve, anchored by Justin Greaves—a knock that resisted not just the bowling, but the assumptions of the era.

Greaves’ effort was monumental in both scale and symbolism. Facing 388 deliveries—more than half the balls he had encountered in his 12-Test career—he ground New Zealand’s attack into exhaustion. West Indies batted 163.3 overs in the fourth innings, their longest such occupation in 95 years, to secure their first points of the 2025–27 World Test Championship.

Initially playing second fiddle in a vital 196-run stand with Shai Hope, Greaves emerged as the fulcrum once Hope (140) and Tevin Imlach departed in quick succession. From that moment, the innings became his - unmistakably.

A Double Hundred Carved in Stone

Greaves’ maiden Test double century arrived fittingly late—in the penultimate over—when he sliced Jacob Duffy over backward point. It was only his second boundary of the final session. Teammates rose in unison, acknowledging an achievement built not on flourish but fortitude.

Finishing on 202 not out, Greaves transformed an innings that began with flair into one of pure steel. He absorbed blows to the body, suppressed instinctive attack, and batted with a single-minded clarity rarely seen today. Cramps forced multiple interventions, yet even the lure of personal milestones failed to provoke recklessness.

This was defence not as retreat, but as control.

Roach, the Veteran Ally

If Greaves was the architect, Kemar Roach was the immovable pillar. In his comeback Test at 37, Roach produced the finest batting display of his career: 58 not out off 233 balls, astonishingly scoring just five runs from his final 104 deliveries.

It was, at times, painful to watch—and glorious for that very reason. Under a baking Christchurch sun and on an increasingly docile surface, Roach played with the desperation of a man who understood time as his greatest weapon.

New Zealand’s frustration was unmistakable. Missed chances piled up: a dropped catch on 30, a missed run-out on 35, and a near-holing-out on 47—each reprieve deepening their misery. Even potential dismissals off Michael Bracewell slipped away, aggravated by reviews already squandered.

When the Pitch Offered Nothing—and Time Offered Everything

New Zealand entered the fourth innings already understaffed, with Matt Henry and Nathan Smith injured. By the final sessions, they were operating with two weary quicks—Zak Foulkes and Jacob Duffy—and two part-timers, all bowling beyond comfort without meaningful assistance from the surface.

Fields tightened, bodies crowded the bat, but breakthroughs refused to come. Even as Hope fell to a moment of brilliance from Tom Latham, and Imlach succumbed shortly after, the moment for decisive separation had passed.

By the final hour, West Indies—needing 96 from 15 overs—made their calculation. The impulse to chase gave way to realism. Defence became doctrine.

Numbers That Tell a Story

The scoreboard alone struggled to capture the magnitude:

202 made Greaves the fourth West Indian—and seventh overall—to score a fourth-innings double century.

He became the first visiting batter ever to do so in New Zealand.

His 388 balls are the most faced by any West Indies batter in a fourth innings, surpassing George Headley’s 385 in 1930.

West Indies’ 457 for 6 is the second-highest fourth-innings total in Test history, behind only England’s 654 for 5 in 1939.

Voices from the Middle

Greaves described the innings simply as resilience—a word echoed repeatedly within the dressing room.

“Once you get in, stay in; it’s a good pitch,” coach Floyd Reifer told him.

“So for me, being there at the end was really important. Anything for the team.”

Roach, whom Greaves credited as his guide through the closing stages, embodied that team-first ethic. Captain Roston Chase later confirmed the decisive call—to shut shop—was taken when survival clearly outweighed ambition.

New Zealand captain Tom Latham was gracious in defeat, acknowledging not just his team’s missed chances and injuries, but the quality of resistance they encountered.

 “Sometimes you have to give credit where it’s due,” Latham said.

 “The way West Indies played that fourth innings was pretty outstanding.”

Why This Draw Will Matter

In the end, West Indies did not win the match—but they won time, belief, and respect. The manner of this draw may prove more valuable than many victories: proof that Test cricket still rewards patience, that resistance remains an art, and that endurance can still command awe.

Christchurch did not produce a result. It produced something rarer—a reminder of what Test cricket looks like when courage outlasts momentum.

And on that long, sunburnt day, Justin Greaves reminded the game how to remember itself.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar 

The Phoenix Moment: West Indies’ Resurrection at Headingley

Two teams in world cricket have long held the ability to defy logic and expectation: Pakistan and the West Indies. Both possess a unique cocktail of unpredictability, flair, and charisma—a style that once enthralled fans and left opponents in awe. In their prime, the two teams embodied the very spirit of cricket, turning mundane matches into thrillers worthy of Hollywood scripts. 

Sadly, the lustrous aura of these cricketing giants has dimmed over the years. Pakistan occasionally rekindles its brilliance with audacious wins, while the West Indies, since the mid-1990s, has been a shadow of its former self. Yet, both teams retain the tantalizing capacity to stun the world, offering their fans glimpses of hope amidst long stretches of despair. 

When the West Indies crumbled at Edgbaston in a historic Day-Night Test, their performance was nothing short of catastrophic. In the space of 76.4 overs, they lost 19 wickets for 261 runs, folding for 168 and 137 in two dismal innings. Their defeat by an innings and 209 runs was more than a loss; it was an indictment of a team that seemed to have lost its way entirely. 

Critics didn’t hold back, deriding them as “Waste Indies.” Even ardent fans were left disillusioned, believing that the Caribbean side’s glory days were forever buried under the weight of mediocrity. Yet, just a week later, the West Indies rose from the ashes at Headingley, scripting one of cricket’s most improbable victories. 

From Humiliation to Heroics: The Turnaround at Headingley

What unfolded at Headingley was a reminder of why cricket remains the most unpredictable of games. Against the same England side that had dismantled them days earlier, the West Indies roared back to life. Records tumbled, expectations shattered, and a team seemingly bereft of spirit showcased resilience, skill, and an indomitable will to win. 

At the heart of this miraculous victory were Shai Hope and Kraigg Brathwaite. Their batting performances were nothing short of heroic. Brathwaite’s steadfast resolve and Hope’s authoritative back-foot stroke play exemplified a calm, calculated aggression reminiscent of the Caribbean greats. Shai Hope, in particular, etched his name into history by becoming the first batsman to score twin centuries in a first-class match at Headingley—a feat that symbolized the West Indies’ extraordinary resurgence. 

Yet, to focus solely on their batsmen would be to overlook the foundation laid by their bowlers. Shannon Gabriel’s high-quality pace bowling rattled England’s top order, setting the tone for West Indies’ comeback. Gabriel’s aggression was the kind that once defined West Indies cricket when fearsome fast bowlers ruled the world. Supporting him was Devendra Bishoo, whose guile and subtle variations gave their attack the depth and dynamism needed to counter England’s formidable batting lineup. 

Rekindling the Spirit of the Past

The Headingley Test also showcased glimpses of what the West Indies could be with consistent nurturing of their talent. Kraigg Brathwaite offers the steadfastness desperately needed at the top of the order, a batsman capable of absorbing pressure and wearing down opposition bowlers. Shai Hope, with his effortless Caribbean flair, could become a linchpin of their middle order, anchoring innings with authority and panache. 

Jermaine Blackwood brings a touch of explosiveness, an entertainer in the mould of yesteryear’s Caribbean heroes. However, his often reckless approach needs refinement if he is to fulfil his immense potential. Meanwhile, Roston Chase adds stability to the lineup, and the possibility of Darren Bravo’s return could further bolster their batting depth. 

But the true soul of West Indies cricket lies in its fast bowlers. Gabriel’s fiery spells at Headingley served as a reminder of the glorious days when West Indies pacers struck fear into the hearts of batsmen worldwide. Their resurgence hinges on rediscovering that aggression and investing faith in a pace battery capable of intimidating opponents. 

A Call for Sensibility in Administration

While the players delivered on the field, much of the West Indies’ struggles can be traced to issues off the pitch. The West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) has been at the centre of numerous controversies, often criticized for its poor management and lack of vision. Victories like the one at Headingley should serve as a wake-up call—a chance for the WICB to recognize the potential within this team and create an environment conducive to sustained success. 

Hope Amidst Uncertainty

The Headingley win was more than just a remarkable turnaround; it was a statement. It showed that the West Indies, even in their darkest moments, still can enthral the world. It offered hope to their fans and served as a reminder that, despite their recent struggles, the spirit of West Indies cricket remains alive. 

The road back to their glory days is long, but Headingley proved that the journey is not impossible. The Caribbean sun, once dimmed by years of disappointment, shone brightly for a fleeting moment in Leeds. Whether it will rise again and illuminate the cricketing world depends not just on the players but also on the vision and commitment of those entrusted with the future of West Indies cricket. 

For now, the Headingley victory stands as a testament to the enduring charm of a team that, even in its imperfections, retains the ability to make us dream.  

Thank You

Faisal Caesar