Windies in pressure after NZ declare at record 609-9

DUNEDIN: West Indies were struggling at 67 for two after Ross Taylor´s first Test double century helped New Zealand to 609 for nine declared on day two of the first Test here at the University Oval on Wednesday.

Taylor made 217 not out and combined in a string of productive partnerships to push New Zealand past 600 for just the fourth time in their Test history.

It was their highest score against West Indies, surpassing the 543 for three in 1972 at Guyana, and the highest Test score at Dunedin, eclipsing the 586 for seven New Zealand made against Sri Lanka in 1997.
Taylor, whose previous best score was an unbeaten 154 not out against England at Manchester in 2008, made his first Test double hundred.

After the declaration, Trent Boult had Kirk Edwards caught at second slip by Peter Fulton for a duck before Tim Southee dismissed Kieran Powell caught behind for seven to reduce the tourists to 24 for two.

Darren Bravo (37 not out) and Marlon Samuels (14 not out) combined to settle the innings and guide their side to the close, albeit 542 runs in arrears.

Taylor played a controlled innings as he did not hit a six in his entire 317-ball, 491-minute innings.

Taylor shared in five partnerships of more than 60 runs. The largest of 195 with captain Brendon McCullum (113) was a New Zealand record for the fourth wicket against West Indies, surpassing the 189 runs Mathew Sinclair and Nathan Astle compiled in late 1999.

The hosts had resumed the day´s play on 367 for three after Taylor and McCullum had completed centuries just before the close on Tuesday.

McCullum was bowled by a Darren Sammy delivery that nipped back and hit off stump to leave the hosts 380 for four, before Corey Anderson was caught behind for a duck before lunch.

Taylor and Watling (41) then shared in an 84-run partnership before the wicketkeeper was well caught by Edwards at second slip when Tino Best got a delivery to pop off a length and New Zealand were 469 for six.

Pace bowler Southee was dismissed three runs later for two, well caught by Bravo at slip after he prodded at a Narsingh Deonarine delivery, before Taylor and Ish Sodhi (35) combined for a 76-run partnership.