Zeenews Sports Bureau
North Sound (Antigua and Barbuda): Sunil Narine made it even at the close on the opening day claiming three wickets as New Zealand scored 232 for the loss of 4 wickets in the first of two Tests against the West Indies.
Martin Guptill, 97, wasted a chance to score a century after he slogged Narine to Narsingh Deonarine just three overs before the end of the session. Taylor, who scored 45, also fell to Narine. He ended the day with three for 73.
Ealier, openers Martin Guptill and Daniel Flynn laid a solid foundation as New Zealand reached 71-0 at lunch after winning the toss.
Guptill stroked four fours and a six to score 34 not out from 80 deliveries, while Flynn hit five boundaries in his unbeaten 34 off 96 balls at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
The Black Caps, after winning the toss, made a cautious start with the pair eking out 16 runs from the first nine overs before the first boundary arrived.
The hosts were encouraged by the seamers often beating the outside edge on a few occasions, but Guptill and Flynn blossomed as the session wore on.
New Zealand, looking to bounce back from series losses in the preceding Twenty20 matches and one-day internationals, left out fast bowler Tim Southee and legspinner Tarun Nethula while B.J. Watling and Trent Boult missed out because of injury.
Left-arm seamer Neil Wagner, a 26-year-old born in South Africa, was included for his Test debut.
West Indies welcomed back fast bowler Kemar Roach and veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul to a side confident after its limited-overs victories. The hosts omitted opening batsman Adrian Barath and fast bowler Tino Best from its squad of 13.
First Published: Thursday, July 26, 2012, 10:05