The West Indies are putting in a much-improved second innings effort with the bat but New Zealand remain in control after the third day of the first cricket test in Wellington.
Shimron Hetmyer goes big at the Basin Reserve. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
The visitors reached 214-2 as stumps were pulled at the Basin Reserve on Sunday, still trailing by 172 runs after wicketkeeper Tom Blundell had earlier hit an unbeaten centruy on test debut as the Black Caps had declared their first innings closed late in the first session at 520-9.
That left the West Indies 386 behind as they began their second effort with the bat, a deficit which they positively chipped away at throughout the second and third sessions.
Opener Kraigg Bathwaite led the fightback and was not out 79 going into day four, while No 3 Shimron Hetmyer made 66 off 89 balls. Kieran Powell (40 off 55) and Shai Hope (20 not out) had also made handy contributions.
New Zealand seamer Matt Henry took both wickets to fall, the first a sharp one-handed return catch to get rid of Brathwaite's opening partner Powell.
Earlier on Sunday, Blundell's ton further strengthened New Zealand's position of dominance at lunch.
Tom Blundell celebrates a century on test debut. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport
Playing on his home ground the Basin Reserve, the Black Caps wicketkeeper finished unbeaten on 107.
Blundell is the first New Zealand keeper and 11th New Zealand player to score a century on test debut.
Starting the day 57 not out, three figures appeared as if it may be out of reach for the 27-year-old, who had New Zealand's last batsman Trent Boult for company on two not out as play began.
But No 11 Boult provided commendable support as Blundell moved closer and closer to his hundred, the No 11 keeping his wicket intact, giving his partner as much of the strike as possible and even throwing in the odd boundary for good measure.
Following a prolonged period in the 90s, Blundell eventually brought up his ton from 178 balls.
He thumped his only six, to go with 13 fours, shortly after reaching the milestone before New Zealand captain Kane Williamson declared with the lead out to a commanding 386 runs.
The visitors got through to lunch at 9-0 and at tea were 107 for one after 30 overs, still 279 runs behind.
After collapsing to 134 all out in their first innings, the West Indies took the attack to the short-pitched approach of Black Caps seamer Neil Wagner second time around.
Brathwaite (34 off 81) and Hetmyer (27 off 44) were the not out batsman as the tea break arrived.
