BRIDGETOWN, Barbados: Kane Williamson hit a career-best 161 not out to guide New Zealand to a lead of 307 over West Indies on Sunday but the tourists were stalled by heavy rain, which wiped out half the fourth day of the third and final test. The Black Caps, trailing by 24 after the first innings, took their overnight position from 123-3 at Kensington Oval to 331-7 but showers limited play to 55.1 overs for the day.
The 23-year-old Williamson, 58 overnight, reached his century before lunch as New Zealand blunted the home team. The right-hander's seventh test hundred, and his second of the series, was spiced with 22 boundaries. Williamson shared vital half-century stands with captain Brendon McCullum (25), Jimmy Neesham (51) and B.J. Watling (29).
Neesham's second half century of the match took 67 balls.Pacer Kemar Roach led the West Indies attack with 4-55, his fourth wicket being his 100th in tests. Roach, who turns 26 on Monday, took 4-61 in the first innings and is the 19th West Indian to achieve the 100 milestone.
Roach, who claimed the two openers on Saturday, added the wickets of McCullum and Watling on Sunday. The Barbadian ace struck early for the home team, trapping McCullum lbw for 25 inside the first 15 minutes at 135-4.
But Williamson and Neesham shared a stand of 91 for the fifth wicket to swiftly curb the hosts' early momentum. Williamson, in a rich vein of form, passed three figures with a square cut off his 173rd delivery but soon lost his partner.
Neesham slammed three fours and four sixes before driving medium pacer Jason Holder (2-26) straight to Kraigg Brathwaite at short extra cover. West Indies was further frustrated as Williamson found another useful ally in B.J. Watling, with the pair adding 79 either side of lunch.
Watling, who struck just one boundary off 66 balls, eventually became Roach's landmark wicket. The wicketkeeper slapped a catch to Holder at backward point.
Williamson, who took his series tally to 413 runs, passed 150 with his 21st boundary but rain arrived soon afterward to frustrate New Zealand and force an early tea with the score at 314-6.
After an overall stoppage of 2 hours, 45 minutes, play resumed but only for 22 minutes before heavy showers returned.In that short passage of play, seamer Jerome Taylor managed to claim Tim Southee (7) to a simple return catch off a mistimed drive at 327-7.
The series is tied 1-1.
