McIntosh’s century puts New Zealand in control

NAPIER (New Zealand), Dec 21: A maiden Test century by Tim McIntosh and the arrival of spin gave New Zealand the edge on the third day of the second cricket Test against the West Indies here on Sunday.

At stumps, the West Indies were 62 for two in their second innings still two runs from catching New Zealand’s 64-run first innings’ lead.

In a day of fluctuating fortunes, New Zealand appeared set for a lead of at least 150 when they cruised past the West Indies first innings 307 with the loss of only four wickets.

But they squandered much of the advantage when McIntosh went nine runs later for 136, setting off a collapse that saw their last six wickets fall for only 55 runs.

Iain O’Brien went for 33 off four overs and Kyle Mills went for 14 off two, but Gayle may live to regret belting the New Zealand quicks out of the attack so early.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori had no choice but to resort to spin and with the wicket starting to turn the initiative swung back to New Zealand.

The tourists lost two wickets for seven runs in the next 10 overs before bad light ended play about 35 minutes early.

Jeetan Patel struck first with a turning delivery that had Chattergoon caught by Ross Taylor at first slip for 25.

Vettori then used the trial referral system to third umpire Mark Benson to win a leg before wicket decision against Ramnaresh Sarwan after ground umpire Rudi Koertzen turned down the initial appeal.

Scoreboard

WEST INDIES (1st Innings) 307 (S. Chanderpaul 126 not out, B.P. Nash 74; I.E. O’Brien 6-75).

NEW ZEALAND (1st Innings, overnight 145-2)

T.G. McIntosh b Taylor 136

J.M. How c Chattergoon b Edwards 12

D.R. Flynn c and b Edwards 57

L.R.P.L. Taylor c Ramdin b Edwards 4

J.D. Ryder c Ramdin b Edwards 57

B.B. McCallum c Ramdin b Taylor 31

J.E.C. Franklin c Gayle b Powell 0

D.L. Vettori c Ramdin b Edwards 29

K.D. Mills lbw b Edwards 18