Hamilton, New Zealand: A 200-run stand between Denesh Ramdin and Shivnarine Chanderpaul guided the West Indies to a creditable 289-6 after Thursday's opening day of the third test against New Zealand.
The tourists were in trouble when the pair came together, having lost four quick wickets shortly after lunch to slump to 86-5, but Ramdin made 107 and Chanderpaul an unbeaten 94 to turn the course of the innings.
Ramdin was out three overs from the close of play after reaching his fourth test century and sharing a defiant 3-1/2 hour partnership.
Earlier after lunch New Zealand took four quick wickets to reduce the West Indies to 142-5 at tea on Thursday's opening day of the third and final test.
The tourists were a solid 71-1 at lunch after being sent in to bat, but opener Kraigg Brathwaite (45) was out three overs into the second session as the West Indies lost four wickets for 15 runs in the space of eight overs.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Denesh Ramdin, veterans of more than 200 tests, then combined in an unbroken partnership which added 56 in the hour before tea. Chanderpaul and Ramdin were both 30 not out at the break.
Trailing 1-0 in the three-test series, the West Indies needed a strong start at Seddon Park, and Braithwaite provided a solid base with opening partner Kieran Powell (26), who was the only man out in the morning session, caught behind off the bowling of Tim Wagner.
Brathwaite missed the first two tests due to visa problems. He came into the side to replace second test double century-maker Darren Bravo who was injured when struck by a ball in training on Wednesday.
Braithwaite, who scored mainly off the back foot, was out early in the second session, caught in the gully by Kane Williamson when he wasn't able to control a short ball from Tim Southee.
The dismissal triggered a top-order collapse. Kirk Edwards (6) was caught by wicketkeeper B.J. Watling off Tim Southee as he failed to pull his bat away in time when trying to leave the ball.
The initial umpire's ruling was not out, but Southee called for a review and Snicko showed a feathered edge.
Marlon Samuels was out soon afterwards for a duck, caught by Williamson from the bowling of Corey Anderson and the all-rounder claimed his second wicket soon after, trapping Narsingh Deonarine lbw for 12.
New Zealand leads the series 1-0 coming into this final test.
West Indies 1st Innings
Kraigg Brathwaite c Williamson b Southee 45
Kieran Powell c Watling b Wagner 26
Kirk Edwards c Watling b Southee 6
Marlon Samuels c Williamson b Anderson 0
Shivnarine Chanderpaul not out 94
Narsingh Deonarine lbw b Anderson 2
Denesh Ramdin c Watling b Anderson 107
Darren Sammy not out 0
Extras (2b,6lb,1w) 9
TOTAL (for 6 wickets) 289
Overs: 90. Innings time: 387 minutes.
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-77, 3-78, 4-82, 5-86, 6-286.
Still to bat: Tino Best, Veerasammy Permaul, Sunil Narine.
Bowling: Trent Boult 19-1-67-0 (1w), Tim Southee 20-1-56-2, Neil Wagner 20-4- 66-1, Corey Anderson 14-3-25-3, Kane Williamson 4-0-14-0, Ish Sodhi 13-0-53-0.
Toss: West Indies.
Series: New Zealand leads the three-match series 1-0
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