The injury woes for fast bowlers continued in the New Zealand vs West Indies Test series, with senior pacer Kemar Roach unable to take part in the second day’s play at Mount Maunganui.
Roach, who pulled up clutching his hamstring during the 89th over on day one, walked off the field after completing his spell. He did not participate in the morning warm-ups on Friday, and it remains unclear when he will be fit to rejoin the side. Broadcast reports confirmed that Roach was unavailable for the entirety of the day. In addition, Shai Hope stayed back at the hotel due to illness.
Trailing 1-0 in the three-match series, West Indies face a daunting first-innings total as Devon Conway moves closer to a double-century. The seam attack now depends on Jayden Seales, who has managed only five wickets across five innings on tour, with support from Anderson Phillip and Justin Greaves.
Other West Indies players are battling minor injuries as well. Ojay Shields and Tagenarine Chanderpaul have been dealing with niggles, and when Greaves had to leave the field during the second session, local Tauranga player Sebastian Heath was brought in as a substitute.
Injuries have affected New Zealand earlier in the series too. Matt Henry and Nathan Smith were forced off the field in Christchurch, where West Indies salvaged a remarkable draw. Blair Tickner’s second Test participation was also cut short, and opener Tom Blundell suffered a hamstring complaint on the first day but has since recovered to return for the third Test.
West Indies have struggled in the 2025-27 Championship, losing six of their last seven Tests, while New Zealand have drawn one and won one in their first series of the new cycle. With Roach unavailable and several players nursing injuries, the West Indies face an uphill battle to stay competitive in Mount Maunganui.
