Cricket: Campbell and Griffith's record start

West Indies 282-1 v New Zealand

THE WEST INDIES put themselves in a commanding position in the first Test against New Zealand here yesterday after a record-breaking opening partnership between Sherwin Campbell and Adrian Griffith.

The touring team never looked back after Brian Lara , the captain, won the toss on a perfect batting wicket and they ended the day on 282 for 1, with Griffith hitting his first Test century by reaching 103 not out and the nightwatchman, Dinanth Ramnarine, five not out.

Campbell was the only wicket to fall when he was out for 170 with the score on 276. He tried to hook a short ball from Dion Nash but skied a catch to the wicketkeeper Adam Parore.

The opening pair passed the West Indies' first-wicket partnership record against New Zealand of 225, achieved in Christchurch in 1979-80 by Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes.

However, they fell short of the all-time opening partnership record of 298, also held by Greenidge and Haynes, achieved against England in 1989- 90 at St John's, Antigua. Campbell, who was hitting his third consecutive century on tour, said: "I think we should play New Zealand more often, because each time I play them I seem to get runs.

"The pitches over here are playing very well, actually. They're nice and even and once you get in for a while things get easier for you."

The game started after a minute's silence in memory of former West Indies Test players Conrad Hunte, Malcolm Marshall and Sylvester Clarke, who all died recently.

First day; West Indies won toss

WEST INDIES - First Innings

A F G Griffith not out 103

S L Campbell c Parore b Nash 170

D Ramnarine not out 5

Extras (2lb, 2nb) 4

Total (for 1, 92 overs) 282

Fall: 1-276.

To bat: *B C Lara, S Chanderpaul, J C Adams, R L Powell, R D Jacobs F A Rose, R D King, C A Walsh.

Bowling: Cairns 16-4-59-0; Nash 17-7-51-1; Vettori 21-5-56-0; Astle 13- 2-45-0; Wiseman 21-10-47-0; McMillan 4-1-22-0.

NEW ZEALAND: M J Horne, G R Stead, C M Spearman, *S P Fleming, N J Astle, C D Millian, C L Cairns, A C Parore, D J Nash, D L Vettori, P J Wiseman.

Umpires: D B Cowie and D R Shepherd (Eng).