De Grandhomme, Taylor give New Zealand big lead

Colin de Grandhomme, the allrounder, smashed a century off 71 balls, while three other New Zealand batsmen struck fifties on the second day of the first Test in Wellington on Saturday (December 2).

New Zealand finished the day on 447 for 9, taking a 313-run lead, after Neil Wagner's career-best 7 for 39 on the opening day skittled the West Indies out for 134 in its first innings.

It was de Grandhomme's maiden century, in his seventh Test. He went on the attack early against a tiring West Indies bowling line-up.

He reached the milestone steering a Miguel Cummins delivery wide of point for three. It was the ninth-fastest Test century of all time.

However, in the next over, he was deceived by a slower ball from Roston Chase, which was pouched by Kieran Powell at long on. His 105 included three sixes and 11 fours.

"Andre Russell hits the ball very hard, Chris Gayle hits the ball very hard. He's up there," said Cummins after the day's play, praising his opponent's big-hitting abilities.

Earlier, resuming on 85 for 2, Jeet Raval (42) was the first wicket to fall when he was caught behind off Kemar Roach in the tenth over of the morning.

Ross Taylor (93) and Henry Nicholls (66), though, added 127 for the fourth wicket, steadily piling on the woes for the West Indies.

Taylor was seven runs away from his 17th century, which would have seen him equal the New Zealand record held by the late Martin Crowe and current captain Kane Williamson, when shortly before tea Kemar Roach had him lbw, after the West Indies was successful in its challenge of the umpire's decision.

Nicholls too had enjoyed a reprieve just after the lunch break when he was caught behind off a Jason Holder no-ball. But on the second ball after tea, his pull shot only found Shannon Gabriel at fine leg, who held on to the catch after a slight fumble. But just as the West Indies saw the back of one partnership, it had to deal with another: de Grandhomme and Tom Blundell, the debutant, added 148 for the seventh wicket.

Blundell was an able ally for the marauding de Grandhomme, reaching 57 from 100 balls at stumps, with six boundaries against his name.

Trent Boult was the other batsman at the crease, batting on 2.

It was an exhausting day for the West Indies. Holder, the skipper, employed the same short-ball tactics that had worked for New Zealand the previous day, but his side didn't enjoy the host's success.

Roach finished the day with 3 for 73, while Cummins and Chase had two apiece.