NEW DELHI: West Indies all-rounder Justin Greaves produced one of the great modern-day rescue acts to deny New Zealand victory in the first Test in Christchurch, delivering an innings that will be remembered for its grit, patience and sheer defiance.

Walking in with a modest Test average of 22, Greaves transformed into an immovable force, grinding his way to a magnificent unbeaten 202 off a marathon 388 balls.

His resistance reached legendary levels as he and Kemar Roach survived nearly 70 overs together, stitching an unbroken 180-run partnership that frustrated the hosts and dragged the West Indies to safety.

By the time the stumps were drawn on the last day, the visitors had reached 6/457 in chase of 531 – the second-highest fourth-innings total in Test history. Only England’s famous 654 in the 1939 ‘Timeless Test’ against South Africa sits above it, a match stopped not by a result but because the team had to leave to catch their ship home.

Greaves’ epic knock, backed by Roach’s stubborn stand, didn’t just save a Test – it revived the spirit of Caribbean resistance on the biggest stage.