New Zealand will look back on the third day of the Hamilton test against the West Indies and reflect on what might have been. A 28-run first innings advantage was small return for a lot of hard work. Eight batsmen passed 20, three passed 50 but it all came to a halt at Chris Cairns' top score of 72.

New Zealand resumed on 113 for three in similar conditions to the first two days; high cloud and humid but the midday start again taking some of the atmospheric advantage from the pace men.

West Indies captain Brian Lara tried the pace-spin combination in the form of Courtney Walsh and Dinanath Ramnarine, the latter finding some sharp turn out of the footmarks to the resuming New Zealand left-handers, captain Stephen Fleming and nighwatchman Daniel Vettori.

In the fifth over of the session, Ricardo Powell, diving high to his left, failed to hold a Vettori slash at Walsh. Other wise neither batsman had much difficulty negotiating the first hour, adding 40 to the overnight total.

Reon King took over from Walsh at the northern end in the 15th over, immediately inducing Vettori to slash outside off and getting the edge of Fleming's bat only to see it go past the despairing dive of the unfortunate Powell. King, however, gained just reward in the 21st over, Vettori cutting and Jimmy Adams taking a smart catch low down at point.

The nightwatchman departed for 29 with the score at 162, with Fleming contributing the second 50 partnership of the innings.

Nathan Astle joined his captain, turning the first ball from King for four. However, from the southern end Ramnarine subjected Astle to a testing examination during the last overs before lunch. At the other end, Fleming brought up his 23rd test 50 with a classic off drive for four, leading New Zealand to lunch at 194 for four. The first session brought 81 runs for the loss of Vettori's wicket.

However, Fleming was not to last long after lunch. He saw the 200 up in the 80th over and the 50 partnership with Astle in just 60 minutes in the 82nd. But slash at Ramnarine ended up in Ridley Jacob's gloves and the New Zealand skipper was gone for 66, the fifth wicket falling at 215.

Craig McMillan joined Astle. Neither looked troubled by the spin of Ramnarine and Adams, brought on immediately after lunch. Lara persisted with the slow bowlers well past the old ball's use-by date. McMillan savoured the opportunity, getting under Adams for six over mid-wicket.

Lara finally took the new ball in the 91st over, Walsh and Franklin Rose sharing the burden. Walsh gave McMillan some uncomfortable moments, one ball going through the New Zealander, triggering a loud appeal but no response from umpire Doug Cowie.

The first hour after lunch brought 62 runs for the loss of Fleming. But, as is so often the case, the pause in proceedings for drinks had the desired effect -- for the West Indies at least. Walsh bounced Astle. Unsettled, the New Zealander swung at the next ball, succeeding only in lofting it on the leg side for Ramnarine running from mid-on to take the catch at full stretch. Astle gone for just two short of his ninth 50 with the score at 258.

Chris Cairns joined McMillan and was immediately in trouble, a direct hit at the bowler's end by Chanderpaul requiring intense examination by the third umpire, David Quested, before Cairns was given the benefit of the doubt.

Cairns set about playing on the reprieve. He set about Rose, three fours in one over, two more in the next after being caught by Powell at third slip off a no-ball.

The luckless Rose was replaced by King, who was promptly straight driven by Cairns from the crease through the covers for four more.

But King tightened and Cairns quietened, scoring just one more four in the three overs before tea. The biggest cheer during that period was for a single by McMillan, his first run since Cairns, then on 37, had come to the crease.

The session produced 111 for the loss of Fleming and Astle, quick scoring in the context of the match.

More was to come. In the hour after tea, Cairns and McMillan added 65 off a West Indies attack that was looking increasingly weary. Cairns went to his 50 in 50 balls; the 100 partnership came up with a Cairns six hoisted through mid-wicket. McMillan, very much the junior partner, joined in, lofting Rose straight for four.

The West Indies were given an opportunity for some relief but Jacobs literally snatched at a chance, spilling a regulation catch behind the stumps from a McMillan flail at Rose in the 73rd over when the score was 354.

But at 374 Cairns, facing Ramnarine, holed out at long off, Sherwin Campbell taking the catch. The New Zealand all-rounder's 72 had come off 82 balls in a partnership of 116 with McMillan.

It was the beginning of the end. Five runs later, McMillan, having brought up his 50 with a flick past point for four, flailed at King's next ball and this time Jacobs made no mistake.

Adam Parore followed quickly when Powell scored a direct hit and another prolonged examination by the third umpire this time went against the batsman.

King wrapped up the innings, inducing Nash to drive wide and Powell took the catch at second slip. The last four wickets had fallen for just 19 runs.

The solid but unspectacular scoreboard showed that the New Zealand batsmen regularly gave the West Indies bowlers hope, King, four for 81, and Ramnarine making the most of the opportunities.

Vettori bowled the one over the West Indies had to face before stumps, getting enough turn to suggest this match still has much to offer -- if the Hamilton weather holds.

© 1999