Published: Dec 04, 2013, 11:59 AM (IST)
Edited: Dec 04, 2013, 04:24 PM (IST)
Dunedin: Dec 4, 2013
An unbeaten 217 from Ross Taylor led New Zealand to their fourth-highest Test total of 609 for nine declared on the second day of the first Test against the West Indies on Wednesday.
New Zealand brought their first innings to a close following the dismissal of Neil Wagner after the tailender and Taylor had belted a whirlwind 34 runs in five overs after the tea break, leaving Taylor unbeaten after his maiden double ton.
After New Zealand resumed the day at 367 for three the West Indies made early inroads with the removal of Brendon McCullum for 113 and Corey Anderson without scoring.
BJ Watling stayed with Taylor and reached 41 before two more quick wickets at the start of the middle session reduced New Zealand to 472-7. Tim Southee followed Watling into the pavilion after scoring just two.
Ish Sodhi (35) and Wagner (37) helped Taylor to get New Zealand past the 600-run milestone. Taylor, who was at the crease for more than eight hours, faced 319 balls and hit 23 boundaries. He had one life in his monumental innings, when Kieran Powell dropped a sharp chance at short leg off spinner Shane Shillingford.
Tino Best was the most successful of the West Indies bowlers, with three for 148 while Narsingh Deonarine and Darren Sammy took two wickets apiece. Sammy has been having trouble with a leg injury and took himself out of the attack soon after removing McCullum in the morning session.
