NZ stumble but lead passes 300

KINGSTON: New Zealand had a terrible start to the fourth day, losing two wickets before they had added to their overnight score of 14 for 2, but they recovered to build on their substantial lead, although their rate of scoring was slower than they would have liked. By lunch, Tom Latham and Jimmy Neesham had ensured West Indies would have to score the second highest fourth-innings total at Sabina Park, and they were not done setting the target yet.

The home side began the morning with the objective of slowing New Zealand down, and in the second over Jerome Taylor hit the back pads of nightwatchman Ish Sodhi and Ross Taylor with consecutive deliveries. Both were dead lbw. Taylor and Kemar Roach, who began his spell with three consecutive maidens, bowled wicket to wicket on a pitch that was starting to exhibit lower bounce.

Brendon McCullum adapted to the demands of the conditions, taking a middle stump guard and pressing forward and playing with a straight bat. Latham left whenever he could, playing watchfully, but when Taylor offered a wide half-volley he cover-drove it to the boundary.

Denesh Ramdin, the West Indies captain, brought on his spinners from the 10th over of the day, and while Sulieman Benn was economical, Shane Shillingford took a while to find a good length.

Shillingford dropped short frequently in his early overs and was pulled for boundaries by McCullum and Latham. Once he began to toss it up fuller, however, he became more effective and eventually spun one through McCullum's defences. New Zealand were 55 for 5 at that point.

Jimmy Neesham came out and played with the fluency that had brought him his first-innings century. He appeared in no trouble during the brief period before lunch, and even charged Shillingford to hit him over the straight boundary.

By lunch, Latham had pushed his way to his second half-century of the game.