Close West Indies 63 for 1 (Gayle 23*, Sarwan 22*) trail New Zealand 373 (Styris 107, Richardson 95, Astle 69, Collins 4-68) by 310 runs
scorecard

A century on debut from Scott Styris put New Zealand in a solid position after two days of the second Test in Grenada. As was the case yesterday, it was hardly riveting stuff for the sparse crowd but it served to leave West Indies a daunting task to secure the win they need to level the series.

Carl Hooper's decision to put New Zealand in on a lifeless wicket was a gamble which didn't work, and only two late wickets last night saved him from a mauling in the local media. But another weak bowling performance on the second day meant left him exposed.

Styris hit 107, becoming the seventh New Zealander to score a hundred on debut and only the third person to reach three figures batting at No. 8. Again West Indies found themselves frustrated by New Zealand's tail after cutting through their middle order. In Barbados, New Zealand's last five first-innings wickets added 220; this time the last four put on 165.

The day begun an hour late after overnight rain had left the outfield sodden but West Indies got the perfect start when Pedro Collins trapped Nathan Astle leg-before for 69 with the first ball (208 for 6). But thereafter it was more hard graft for little reward.

Craig McMillan and Styris added 48 either side of lunch before McMillan edged Cameron Cuffy to Brian Lara at first slip for 14 (256 for 7). That dismissal was the signal for Styris to open up and he found valuable support from the New Zealand tail. With Robbie Hart he put on 56 for the eighth wicket and then 49 for the ninth with Shane Bond.

Styris was the last man out, looking to heave Adam Sanford off the island and losing his middle stump. But in scoring 107 out of 168 runs made while he was at the crease, he had put New Zealand firmly in control.

With so much time to make up, West Indies started briskly with Wavell Hinds and Chris Gayle looking for quick runs. Hinds hooked Bond for a big six, but it was a brief success as Bond responded with a fast yorker which removed Hinds's off stump (28 for 1). Ramnaresh Sarwan and Gayle maintained the tempo through to the close, but their approach kept the New Zealand bowlers interested.

Much will depend on the resilience of West Indies' middle order - so far it has been found wanting.

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