Top 5 Tests between New Zealand and West Indies

#4 Auckland, February-March, 1969

Seymour Nurse's 168 helped West Indies complete the then second highest run-chase in Tests

Auckland was the venue for the first of three Tests between New Zealand and West Indies in 1969. West Indies won the toss and skipper Gary Sobers opted to field first. The Kiwi batsmen were faltering but thanks to Bruce Taylor’s 111-ball 124 and Bevan Congdon’s 85, they put up 323 in their first innings. Among the Windies bowlers, Richard Edwards and Lance Gibbs picked up three wickets each.

In reply, West Indies lost Roy Fredericks early before Joey Carew and Seymour Nurse added 172 for the second wicket. The former scored a career-best 109 while the latter scored 95. The remainder of the Windies batting did not contribute much and the visitors were dismissed for 276. The Kiwi bowlers took wickets consistently with Dick Motz and Bryan Yuile picking up three wickets each while Bruce Taylor and Victor Pollard picked up two apiece.

In New Zealand’s second innings, fifties from skipper Dowling and Victor Pollard took the hosts to 297/8. They declared at this stage and West Indies were given a target of 345 to win.

Windies openers Roy Fredericks and Joey Carew scored 23 and 38 respectively before the partnership between Seymour Nurse and Basil Butcher began. Nurse and Butcher added 174 for the third wicket before the former was dismissed for a 215-ball 168. Butcher batted on and took West Indies past the finish line at 348/5. It was the second-highest run-chase in Test cricket at the time and continues to be the highest Test run-chase in New Zealand.