Justin Greaves and Kemar Roach carved their names into Test cricket history after producing a record-breaking, unbeaten seventh-wicket stand to rescue West Indies in the first Test against New Zealand at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. The duo added 180 unbroken runs in the fourth innings – the highest seventh-wicket partnership ever recorded in a Test run chase – to deny the hosts victory in the opening match of the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Chasing a monumental target of 531, West Indies were staring at defeat at 277/6 on the final day when Greaves and Roach joined forces. However, what followed was one of the greatest acts of defiance by a lower order in modern Test cricket.

Justin Greaves’ double ton and Kemar Roach’s career-best resistance rewrites records

Greaves produced a monumental innings under pressure, finishing on a marathon 202 not out off 388 balls, holding the innings together with remarkable composure and stamina. Roach, better known for his new-ball spells than his batting, played the innings of his life – a gritty 58 not out off 233 deliveries, the most balls ever faced by a No. 8 or lower in a fourth innings.

Together they consumed 409 balls, blunting a world-class New Zealand attack under fading light and rising tension in Christchurch.

Their unbeaten 180-run partnership surpassed the long-standing record of 160 set by Sachin Tendulkar and Manoj Prabhakar for India against Pakistan at Old Trafford in 1990 – previously the highest seventh-wicket stand in the last innings of a Test match.

While the overall Test seventh-wicket record still belongs to West Indies’ Denis Atkinson and Clairmonte Depeiaza (347 vs Australia, 1955), Greaves and Roach now hold the distinction of owning the premier stand in the uniquely challenging setting of a fourth-innings Test chase.

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Top 7th-wicket stands in the fourth innings of Test matches

• Justin Greaves & Roston Chase (West Indies) – 180* vs New Zealand, Christchurch, 2025
• Sachin Tendulkar & Manoj Prabhakar (India) – 160 vs England, Manchester, 1990
• Richie Benaud & Alan Davidson (Australia) – 134 vs West Indies, Brisbane, 1960
• Ajit Agarkar & VVS Laxman (India) – 126 vs England, Lord’s, 2002
• Asoka de Silva & Ravi Ratnayeke (Sri Lanka) – 124 vs Australia, Hobart, 1989
• Jacob Oram & Daniel Vettori (New Zealand) – 124 vs Sri Lanka, Colombo (SSC), 2009
• Dave Nourse & Gordon White (South Africa) – 121 vs England, Johannesburg, 190

Also READ: NZ vs WI – Fans go wild as Justin Greaves’ stunning double ton leads West Indies to historic draw in 1st Test against New Zealand

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