ST GEORGE’S (Grenada), July 1: West Indies were bowled out for 470 in reply to New Zealand’s first innings total of 373 on the fourth day of the second Test on Monday.

Lower order batsman Mahendra Nagamootoo crashed three sixes in a rapid 32 after a towering 204 by opener Chris Gayle on Sunday had helped them past New Zealand’s first innings target.

The tourists claimed an early wicket when paceman Shane Bond had Shivnarine Chanderpaul caught by Stephen Fleming at slip without adding to his overnight score of 51.

Nagamootoo then took to the crease and proved he has added some batting to the West Indian lower order by hitting left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori for six.

In a subsequent Vettori over, Nagamootoo hit sixes off two consecutive balls.

Nagamootoo was finally caught by wicketkeeper Robbie Hart off Styris, while Bond claimed his fifth wicket when he had Adam Sanford caught by Ian Butler for 12.

On Sunday, a magnificent 204 by opener Gayle helped the West Indies overtake New Zealand the third day at 394 for five, a lead of 21.

The 22-year-old left-hander had been unusually cautious on the way to his second Test century, but he went on the attack with some powerful strokes to the delight of the 9,000 flag-waving fans at the Queen’s Park stadium.

The New Zealand attack gradually ran out of ideas in the strength-sapping heat, while Gayle hammered the ball to all corners of the ground, striking 29 fours and two sixes.

He was eventually caught behind from a rising Shane Bond delivery, although the batsman seemed unhappy with the decision.

There was only one point in the innings where the left-hander began to get ahead of himself, and he was nearly punished.

After crashing fast-medium bowler Ian Butler through the covers for two boundaries and then lofting Bond for a mighty six in the following over he mistimed an attempt at a second six and was dropped badly by Mark Richardson at mid-on.

Gayle’s only other indiscretion came from an understandable attack of nerves on 199 when he was dropped by Matt Horne, also at mid-on.

Saturday’s hero Scott Styris was one of the New Zealand bowlers most severely punished by Gayle.

Yet the all-rounder, who made 107 on his test debut on Saturday, also had the satisfaction of claiming the wicket of Brian Lara earlier in the day.

The left-hander was caught behind when he was in full cry just two runs short of his half-century.

Scoreboard

NEW ZEALAND (1st innings) 373 (S.Styris 107, M.Richardson 95, N.Astle 69; P.Collins 4-68)