The West Indies hit back to take three wickets and reduce New Zealand to 311 for seven at tea on the third day of the rain-affected opening Test at the University Oval in Dunedin on Saturday.
After heavy rain led to the second day being abandoned without a ball being bowled, a waterlogged outfield meant Saturday’s start had to be delayed until after lunch.
When play eventually got under way, New Zealand resumed at 226 for four with Jesse Ryder on 54 and Brendon McCullum four.
Both batsmen looked untroubled against West Indies seamers as captain Chris Gayle elected to continue with the old ball in the hope of getting some swing on a chilly Dunedin afternoon.
But with the ball not moving at all, Gayle eventually opted to take the new ball with immediate results.
In the first over after drinks, fast bowler Jerome Taylor got a good length ball to move slightly away from McCullum (25), who edged a simple catch to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.
West Indies should have had a double breakthrough three overs later when Ryder, on 80 at the time, edged a Fidel Edwards ball to second slip only for a diving Sewnarine Chattergoon to spill the chance.
Edwards was in the middle of a fiery spell and had James Franklin (7) in some trouble, hitting him on the ribs with a short ball and then forcing a miscue off the gloves.
However, in his next over Franklin went back and turned a ball around the corner, but slipped over in the process and hit the stumps with his legs, giving Edwards his first wicket.
Ryder then threw away a chance of a maiden Test century when on 89 he pulled a short ball from Daren Powell straight to Shivnarine Chanderpaul at midwicket to leave New Zealand at 311 for six.
Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills saw New Zealand safely to tea. – Reuters