[www.inewsguyana.com] – West Indies made a shaky start in their first innings against New Zealand after Ross Taylor scored a maiden double century to put his side in control of the first test on the second day at University Oval in Dunedin on Wednesday.
The West Indies, reduced to 24-2 before recovering to reach 67 without further loss by the close, face a herculean task to avoid defeat after New Zealand racked up an imposing 609-9 declared.
The West Indies faced 24 overs before stumps and were quickly in trouble when Trent Boult angled a ball across Kirk Edwards, who edged it straight to Peter Fulton for a regulation slip catch.
Edwards was out for a duck and fellow opener Kieron Powell followed in similar fashion soon after when caught by wicketkeeper Watling for seven.
Darren Bravo, not out 37, and Marlon Samuels on 14, both survived confident appeals as they held the innings together until the close of play.
Taylor has become only the 13th New Zealander to reach 200 in a Test innings.
Taylor was at the crease for more than eight hours, faced 319 balls and hit 23 boundaries without risking a lofted shot.
After New Zealand resumed the day at 367-3, the West Indies made early inroads with the removal of McCullum for 113 and Corey Anderson without scoring.
BJ Watling (41) restored order with Taylor in an 84-run stand for the sixth wicket before the West Indies engineered a second mini breakthrough.
Tino Best claimed the scalp of Watling and Narsingh Deonarine removed Tim Southee for two to have New Zealand at 472-7 before Ish Sodhi (35) and Neil Wagner (37) helped Taylor to get New Zealand past the 600-run milestone.
New Zealand declared at their fourth-highest Test score following the dismissal of Wagner after the tailender and Taylor had belted 34 runs in five overs after the tea break.
The aggressive Best, with his short-pitched deliveries, was the most successful of the West Indies bowlers, returning figures of three for 148 while Sammy and Deonarine finished with two wickets apiece.
