NZ put under pressure
A double-strike by Kemar Roach, getting rid of two specialist batsmen immediately after a short rain interval in the fifth morning Sunday, raised West Indies' hopes of closing out the game, after a difficult fourth day in the field.
The wickets heaped pressure on New Zealand as the battle for survival got tougher against an incisive Roach and Sunil Narine, who looked like striking every over. Neil Wagner impressed with his defence and perseverance for a night-watchman, but New Zealand expected more from their specialist batsmen in the tense morning session to reach 225 for 5 for an overall lead of 54.
With fielders hovering around the batsmen, run-scoring was a challenge. New Zealand managed just two boundaries, one off an outside edge by Wagner which beat second slip, and the other a neat cover drive by Ross Taylor past mid-off. That New Zealand managed just 26 runs off as many overs in the session exemplified the battle of attrition.
Earlier, the Black Caps were up against it at stumps on Saturday after two breakthroughs for the hosts left them at 199 for 3, just 28 runs ahead.Looking to erase a 171-run first-innings deficit, opener Martin Guptill and Brendon McCullum strove manfully to move the Black Caps towards positive territory but both fell after taking the tourists to 170 for 1 at one stage in the final session.
West Indies spinner Sunil Narine, who pulled out a maiden five-wicket Test haul in the first innings, made the first breakthrough in the second innings after trapping Daniel Flynn lbw for 20 in an early blow for the Kiwis.
But thereafter Guptill, who just missed a century in the first innings, and McCullum piled on the runs before falling for 67 and 84 as Narine and Kemar Roach claimed their respective scalps.
Guptill and McCullum had put on 123 for the second wicket before spinner Narine had opener Guptill caught by Assad Fudadin at short leg.
Kemar Roach then bowled McCullum to leave nightwatchman Neil Wagner on four not out with skipper Ross Taylor on 11.
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