Highest in 26 years: New Zealand seamer bowls back-breaking fourth-innings spell amid injury crisis

Jacob Duffy sends down 43 overs in Christchurch

The first Test of three between the sides, which began on December 2, headed for an exciting conclusion on day five as Shai Hope and Justin Greaves took the West Indies to 212-4 by stumps on the penultimate day, in pursuit of 531. 

New Zealand's bowling effort in the final inning was hampered by injuries to two frontline quicks; Matt Henry and Nathan Smith. In New Zealand's first bowling innings, the two bowled 37 overs between them, Henry taking 3-43 and Smith 0-39.

Read more: West Indies all-rounder joins exclusive club with Herculean fourth-innings double-hundred

In their absence, the fast-bowling load had to be shouldered by Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes, both players taking part in just their second Test match. Duffy took 5-34 in the first innings, and Foulkes 2-32.

Thanks in large part to a stellar rearguard effort from Greaves and Kemar Roach, West Indies stretched the innings out, eventually batting the day to secure a draw. The innings lasted 163.3 overs, and Duffy bowled 43 of those. Foulkes bowled 33, and off-spinner Michael Bracewell sent down 55.

Duffy's workload in the innings was the highest for a seam bowler in the fourth innings of a Test in over 26 years. The last time a pacer was required to bowl as much was Glenn McGrath against the West Indies in 1999, when Brian Lara's unbeaten 153 helped the hosts to a one-wicket win in Barbados.

The all-time record belongs to South Africa's Chud Langton, who bowled 56 eight-ball overs against England in 1939, although that was a timeless Test that lasted 10 days. In a time-bound game, his countryman Trevor Goddard holds the record, with 62 six-ball overs against the same opposition in 1955.

Also read: 'Get your bloody finger up' - New Zealand frustrations at umpiring errors boil over during West Indies draw  

Most deliveries bowled by a pacer in the fourth innings of a Test