The dark clouds that gathered over Seddon Park on Saturday on the third day of the first cricket test between New Zealand and West Indies were good omens for New Zealand fast bowlers Tim Southee and Trent Boult.
Boult and Southee play for Northern Districts province which counts Seddon Park at Hamilton among its home grounds. They have an intimate knowledge of local conditions and are especially aware than when low cloud settles over the ground the ball will swing.
The West Indies resumed at 49-0 Saturday after openers John Campbell and Kraigg Braithwaite showed great tenacity to bat through the last 26 overs of the second day Friday. The New Zealand bowlers were unable in very different conditions to make a breakthrough.
But the conditions Saturday were much more in the bowlers’ favor, the ball swung late and Southee and Boult combined to claim three West Indies wickets inside the first four overs.
Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner also took wickets and at lunch the West Indies were…