Maiden ton for Taylor

Despite a maiden Test century for Jerome Taylor, the West Indies fell short of New Zealand's first-innings total in the first Test.

But Windies fall short in first innings

First Test Match
Day Four - Dunedin
New Zealand 365 (D R Flynn 95, J D Ryder 89) & 44-2 v West Indies 340 (J E Taylor 106, S Chanderpaul 76, C H Gayle 74, D L Vettori 6-56) A fine maiden Test century by Jerome Taylor was the highlight on day four in Dunedin, although the West Indies still fell short of New Zealand's first-innings total in the rain-affected first Test. Taylor (106) shared a record seventh wicket partnership of 153 with Shivnarine Chanderpaul as the tourists were dismissed for 340 at University Oval, some 25 runs short of their opponents. However, they fought back to leave the Black Caps 44-2 at the close, a lead of 69 runs, after Daren Powell cleaned bowled Jamie How (10) and nightwatchman Kyle Mills (0) with successive balls. Daniel Flynn survived the hat-trick ball to be four not out at stumps, with Tim McIntosh (24no) still at the crease after being dropped by Sewnarine Chattergoon in the final over of the day. But the day belonged to fast bowler Taylor, who took just over a run a ball to bring up his 100, the 24-year-old also going past 50 for the first time in a first-class match. He showed plenty of composure and some lovely touches, with shots reaching all parts of the ground - 86 of his total coming from 17 fours and three sixes - and none of New Zealand's bowlers were spared. The visitors were in trouble at 173-6 when Taylor came to the crease but he and Chanderpaul got them through to 253-6 by tea, the former bringing up his first Test half-century with the last ball before the interval. Chanderpaul reached his 50 immediately after the break and from there Taylor reached his 100 off just 97 balls with a boundary off James Franklin. He finally departed two overs after drinks after edging a Daniel Vettori delivery behind to Brendon McCullum, prompting a West Indies collapse. Vettori was on a hat-trick after Powell went next ball but Fidel Edwards survived, although he was soon dispatched when substitute fielder Sean Eathorne took an impressive diving catch to give Vettori his fifth wicket. Chanderpaul followed two overs later for 76 when the Black Caps skipper clean bowled him - Vettori ending the innings with 6-56 off 25 overs.

Slump

The West Indies had earlier slumped from 39-0 to 158-4 by lunch, with New Zealand taking the key wickets of Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan. Gayle found the rope at regular intervals and brought up his half-century with his eighth boundary of the innings. But fellow opener Chattergoon looked uncomfortable and departed for 13 after hooking a shot to Iain O'Brien off the bowling of Mills. Mills and McCullum then combined to dismiss Sarwan (8) before Gayle mis-timed a pull shot off O'Brien straight to Franklin. Xavier Marshall went for 20 after umpire Amish Saheba turned down a bat, pad catch - Vettori calling for a referral which third umpire Rudi Koertzen gave. It was a tough day for New Zealand bowlers, with Mark Gillespie (0-102 off 21 overs) particularly expensive and Franklin still working his way back from injury with 0-61 off 15 overs. Mills, a late replacement for the injured Jacob Oram, finished with 3-64 off 24, while O'Brien picked up the key wicket of the West Indies skipper to finish with 1-46 off 15.