McIntosh ton boosts Black Caps

Tim McIntosh notched a maiden Test century to help New Zealand secure a 64-run first innings lead over the West Indies in Napier.

Hosts secure 64-run first innings lead after maiden century from opener

Opener Tim McIntosh notched a maiden Test century to help New Zealand secure a 64-run first innings lead over the West Indies in the second Test in Napier. The hosts eventually finished on 371 and then reduced the tourists to 62-2 in their second innings with spinners Jeetan Patel and Daniel Vettori picking up a wicket apiece. It means the West Indies trail by two runs going into day four in what remains a finely balanced contest. McIntosh's hundred may have been the highlight of proceedings on Sunday, but Fidel Edwards also produced a fine display with the ball to keep his side's hopes alive - ending with career-best figures of 7-87. New Zealand resumed on 145-2 and had the better of the morning session despite Edwards claiming the early wicket of Ross Taylor who was caught behind for just four. That dismissal brought together McIntosh and Ryder who put on exactly one hundred in good time before the latter became Edwards' second wicket of the day, also caught by Ramdin, for 57. During that partnership McIntosh had reached three figures, bringing up his century with the 15th boundary of his innings. The tall left-hander's 337-ball vigil eventually came to an end shortly after lunch as he went for 136 after being bowled by Jerome Taylor. His wicket sparked a mini-collapse as Taylor quickly accounted for Brendon McCullum (31) and Daren Powell removed James Franklin for a duck as he was caught by Chris Gayle. Daniel Vettori and Kyle Mills then shared a useful 48-run partnership before Edwards returned to mop up the tail, taking the final three wickets in quick succession to keep the tourists' hopes alive. West Indies second innings started in predictably rapid fashion with the aggressive Gayle and Sewnarine Chattergoon rattling 40 from the first six overs. But the introduction of spin worked well for New Zealand with Chattergoon soon providing Ross Taylor with a simple catch at first slip off Patel for 25. Vettori quickly removed out-of-form Ramnaresh Sarwan for just one soon afterwards as he secured a leg before decision after asking for a referral to third umpire Mark Benson.