Taylor century revives West Indian hopes

A fine maiden Test century by Jerome Taylor was not enough to propel the West Indies past New Zealand's first innings total of 365 in the rain-affected first Test here in Dunedin yesterday. Despite a record seventh-wicket partnership between Taylor and Shivnarine Chanderpaul of 153, the tourists fell 25 runs short of the New Zealand total as they were bowled out for 340 shortly after drinks in the final session of day four.

But they fought back well to have New Zealand 44 for 2 at the close, a lead of 69 runs, after Daren Powell bowled Jamie How (10) and nightwatchman Kyle Mills (0) with successive balls. Daniel Flynn survived the hat-trick ball to be four not out at stumps with Tim McIntosh unbeaten on 24 after being dropped by Sewnarine Chattergoon in the day's last over.

But the day really belonged to Taylor, who scored at better than a run a ball. His 16th boundary, in the penultimate over before drinks in the final session, took him to 101 and sparked joyous celebrations in the West Indies camp.

It was the first time Taylor had gone past 50 in a first-class match and the 24-year-old fast bowler showed plenty of composure and some lovely touches as he hit shots all round the ground on his way to 106: 86 of those runs come from 17 fours and three sixes.

None of New Zealand's bowlers were spared, with Mark Gillespie, who had the worst return of the home side's bowlers of 0 for 102 off 21 overs, regularly dispatched to the boundary. Even the New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who ended the innings with 6 for 56 off 25 overs, did not escape with Taylor taking 14 runs from the first over bowled to him by the left-arm spinner.

The West Indies were in trouble at 173 for 6 when Taylor came to the crease but he and Chanderpaul, who was eventually last man out on 76, steadied the ship. It was Vettori who eventually claimed Taylor's wicket when he edged behind to give Brendon McCullum a regulation catch. From there the West Indies crumbled.

Powell went next ball to leave Vettori on a hat-trick but Fidel Edwards survived, although he failed to trouble the scorer before he was also sent packing when Sean Eathorne, on the field as cover for Ross Taylor who had dislocated and chipped a bone in the ring finger of his right hand, took a diving catch to give Vettori his fifth wicket. Chanderpaul followed two overs later when the Black Caps captain clean bowled him.

New Zealand had begun the day in fine style, taking the key wickets of Chris Gayle and Ramnaresh Sarwan as the tourists, who resumed on 39 for no loss, slumped to 158 for 4 by lunch. Gayle looked set for a big score, finding the rope at regular intervals and bringing up his half-century with his eighth boundary. His fellow opener Chattergoon, in contrast, looking uncomfortable before he hooked a shot to Iain O'Brien to go for 13.

Mills and McCullum then combined to dismiss Sarwan for eight before Gayle mistimed a pull off O'Brien which went straight to Franklin. Xavier Marshall's dismissal for 20 was less straightforward, with Vettori calling for a referral to third umpire Rudi Koertzen after an appeal for a bat-pad catch had been denied.

Overall though, it was a tough day for the New Zealand bowlers. Mills, who was a late replacement for the injured Jacob Oram, was the next best behind Vettori with 3 for 64 off 24.