Brathwaite leads Windies resistance on Day 3

Kraigg Brathwaite was on course for his seventh century as he led the Windies fightback after Tom Blundell's debut ton put New Zealand in a seemingly unbeatable position in the first Test in Wellington on Sunday.

Brathwaite was unbeaten on 79 as Windies reached 214 for 2 at stumps on day three. Shai Hope was unbeaten on 21. Having conceded a 386-run lead, Windies still requires 172 runs to make New Zealand bat again.

The target appeared monumental, but Brathwaite played confidently against the New Zealand attack. He put on a 72-run opening partnership with Kieran Powell (40), a 94-run stand with Shimron Hetmyer (66) for the second wicket and further added 48 runs with Hope.

Hetmyer, 20, playing just his fourth Test, scored his maiden Test fifty before becoming Matt Henry's second victim.

Henry, who toiled without success in the first innings, took 2 for 33, while Neil Wagner, who took seven wickets in the first innings, proved expensive with none for 89.

After 19 wickets fell on the first two days of the Test, there were only two on the third day as the surface browned off from the green cover on day one when Windies was bowled out for 134 in its first innings.

New Zealand resumed the day on 447 for 9 and added 73 runs before declaring shortly ahead of lunch with Blundell making an unbeaten 107 on debut. He scored 10 off the opening over of the day by Miguel Cummins and continued to pile on the pressure while Boult held up the other end. Blundell's 180-ball innings, included 13 fours and one six.

Boult faced 60 balls to be not out on 18, although he enjoyed a slice of luck when he was dropped with Blundel on 99.