Chanderpaul sees West Indies home

Shivnarine Chanderpaul hit an unbeaten century to lead the West Indies to a six-wicket win over New Zealand at the new Boursejour stadium at Gros Islet in St Lucia on Saturday.

The Guyanese batsman made 108 including eight fours and a six, as the hosts reached 250 for 4 in 49.1 overs in reply to New Zealand's 248 for 7 from the allotted 50. Chanderpaul was assisted in his quest by fellow opener Chris Gayle, with 30, and captain Carl Hooper (47) and Ramnaresh Sarwan (44).

The home team won the toss and although the decision appeared to be validated when Nathan Astle was bowled for two by Mervyn Dillon from the last ball of the opening over. But the New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming and the all-rounder Shaun Styris dug in and then launched a fightback.

Fleming and the wicket-keeper Chris Nevin added 50 more before the latter fell for 15, becoming Pedro Collins' first victim in the 10th over. With the first ball of his next over, Collins accounted for Craig McMillan, with the batsman failing to trouble the scorers and then bowled Craig Harris two balls later for a duck.

But Fleming was up to the challenge and with Lou Vincent, he put on a stand of 57. Vincent's dismissal for 33 some 15 overs later to Ryan Hinds brought Styris to the wicket. He made the major contribution to a partnership of 91 before Fleming fell to a Chris Gayle delivery.

Styris's stand included seven fours and three sixes before falling to Dillon with the score at 235 and Daniel Vettori (14) and Daryl Tuffey (3) saw out the overs.

But Chanderpaul outlasted the New Zealand duo for longevity, staying at the crease from the first ball to the 50th over. He put on 55 for the first wicket with Gayle before the Jamaican was caught by Vettori off the bowling of Tuffey.

Chanderpaul and Sarwan added 86 for the next wicket in 22 overs before Sarwan was bowled by Hitchcock to become his first international scalp. Hooper joined the fray and speedily accrued a further 74 in just 75 deliveries for the third wicket before Hitchcock beat the bat again.

Although the wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs went for just three, caught by Vettori off Hitchcock, the hosts' run rate far exceeded that of asking. Brian Lara joined Chanderpaul and made nine, including a four off Tuffey to give the hosts a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.