Day 3 Close West Indies 107 and 5 for 0 (Gayle 0*, Hinds 4*) need another 469 runs to beat New Zealand 337 and 269 (Astle 77, Collins 6-76)
scorecard

With two days of the first Test remaining it is hard to see how West Indies can avoid a morale-sapping defeat after another day of wasted opportunities. New Zealand, at first unsteadily and then with growing ease, extended their lead to 474 and, weather permitting, set themselves up for a first-ever win in the Caribbean.

There was a brief moment shortly after lunch when West Indies had a glimmer of hope. New Zealand had slumped to 88 for 5, a lead of 381, and Pedro Collins had his tail up. But just as had happened in their first innings, New Zealand rallied and the slim chance had gone.

Having conceded a lead of 230, West Indies were always going to be on the back foot. They were frustrated throughout the first session by nightwatchman Daryl Tuffey, who ground out a Test-best 31 off 110 balls before falling to the last ball before lunch. West Indies' inability to polish off lower-order batsmen was much of the reason for their plight.

Lou Vincent laboured for 2 off 33 balls - setting the tone for a turgid morning - and two dropped catches by Ramnaresh Sarwan hardly helped West Indies' cause. The second spill reprieved Nathan Astle who went on to hit 77 and add 78 for the sixth wicket with Stephen Fleming (36).

By the time Astle fell West Indies were facing a target of almost 400, and dogged resistence from Robbie Hart (24) and a breezy 26 from No 11 Ian Butler just served to further deflate West Indies' spirits and extend their target from the improbable to the impossible.

After a mediocre first innings performance, Pedro Collins, who took 6 for 76, stood head and shoulders above the other West Indies bowlers. Had he performed as well on the first day then West Indies might have been going into the fourth day contemplating winning the match. As it is, they will do well to delay New Zealand celebrations until the fifth day.

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