AUCKLAND, March 11: The West Indies made a sound start in their quest for 291 runs for victory in the first cricket Test against New Zealand, reaching 48 without loss at the end of another day of fluctuating fortunes on Saturday.

Chris Gayle was unbeaten on 28, while Daren Ganga was on 20.

The West Indies had started the day firmly in control, reducing New Zealand to 146 for seven, a lead of just 164.

But in keeping with a Test where neither side has been able to press home the advantage, Brendon McCullum swung the momentum back New Zealand’s way, leading a lower order fightback with an innings of 74.

In his three hours at the crease he featured in half-century partnerships with Daniel Vettori and Shane Bond to carry New Zealand’s second innings total to 272, for an overall lead of 290.

Vettori made 33 before his eighth-wicket stand with McCullum was broken, while Bond ended 18 not out.

McCullum and Vettori both fell to the finger spin of Gayle, who returned the best figures of the five West Indian bowlers, with four for 71 off 30.1 overs.

With two days remaining and fine weather forecast, an outright result is inevitable, but despite Gayle and Ganga making a solid start to the West Indies second innings history is against them.

To reach their target of 291 they will have to post the second highest fourth-innings Test total at Auckland’s Eden Park.

The first session on the third day was firmly with the West Indies as they took three wickets and conceded just 63 runs.

Ian Bradshaw took the key scalp of Stephen Fleming for 33, trapping him in front of the wicket with a ball that cut back just as the New Zealand skipper looked to be settling in for a long stay at the crease.

Night-watchman James Franklin handled the West Indies quicks with confidence but was undone when Gayle came on to be bowled for 20, while Nathan Astle reached 13 before he was wrongly called through for a quick single by McCullum who had steered the ball into the gully.

Ganga dived to his right to field the ball and, on his knees, scored with a direct hit that found Astle well out of his ground.

It was an outcome McCullum didn’t want but it was the spur the self-proclaimed “crash-bash batter” needed.

As he settled into his work, New Zealand took control of the second session and early into the third before Gayle bowled Chris Martin to end the innings.

When Gayle and Ganga came out to bat the pitch held no fears, and apart from one edge from Ganga which fell just short of Peter Fulton in the gully, they gave no chances.

Scoreboard