ST GEORGE’S (Grenada), June 28: New Zealand made a confident start to the second test against the West Indies on Friday, scoring 77 for one by lunch on the first day after being put in to bat by Carl Hooper.

Hosting a test for the first time, the Queen’s Park wicket was lifeless from the start and Hooper used four bowlers in the first hour as openers Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent settled quickly before Cameron Cuffy bowled Vincent for 24.

Richardson was 42 not out at lunch accompanied by captain Stephen Fleming, on six.

West Indies are seeking to draw the two-match series after a heavy loss in the first test in Bridgetown by 204 runs.

The openers had taken the score along to 61 when Cuffy bowled a wicked delivery that cut sharply from outside off and Vincent got an inside edge that deflected onto his stumps.

Missing strike bowler Merv Dillon, the West Indies dropped raw pace bowler Darren Powell and drafted in leg spinner Mahendra Nagamootoo, who has not played international cricket since being involved in a road accident two months ago.

Left arm seamer Pedro Collins and Cuffy opened the bowling but had little initial joy. Vincent hooked Collins for six in his second over and Richardson then smacked medium-fast bowler for three fours from his first three balls as he replaced Cuffy.

Sanford was taken off after conceding 20 from three overs but Cuffy came back from the pavilion end and immediately looked more dangerous.