New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming plays a shot during his knock of 130 at Kensington Oval yesterday - DellmarBRIDGETOWN, Barbados (AP):
CAPTAIN STEPHEN Fleming stroked 130 yesterday to pull New Zealand to a satisfying 257 for six at close on the opening Cable & Wireless cricket Test against the West Indies at Kensington Oval.
Left-hander Fleming hit 20 fluent boundaries in registering his fourth Test century in his 70th match. The 29-year-old faced 230 balls in 275 minutes.
Fleming's sixth wicket stand of 108 with wicketkeeper Robbie Hart (34 not out) rescued the Black Caps from the uncertainty of 117 for five midway through the day.
Fast bowlers Mervyn Dillon and Adam Sanford each claimed two wickets to lead the West Indies attack. Dillon's first scalp was his 100th in his 27th Test, the 16th West Indian bowler to the milestone.
New Zealand enjoyed a solid start after they were sent in by West Indies skipper Carl Hooper.
Left-handed opener Mark Richardson and Lou Vincent added 38 in the first hour before Dillon struck for his landmark wicket.
Vincent (14) was undone by a beauty that was edged to wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs.
Fleming and Richardson dulled the four-pronged West Indian pace attack after that and took lunch at 77 for one.
But the home team hit back forcefully after the interval as the Black Caps slumped dramatically in the middle session.
Richardson (41) failed to add after the break as Sanford ripped out his off stump as he missed a drive. The 31-year-old from Otago hit four boundaries off 92 balls.
Left-arm pacer Pedro Collins continued the West Indies revival by removing Chris Harris for a duck as the left-hander's edge was well pouched by Brian Lara at first slip.
Dillon returned to claim the dangerous Nathan Astle (two) to a loose drive and Sanford trapped Craig McMillan (six) leg before as New Zealand were suddenly on the ropes at 117 for five.
Fleming reached his half century off 93 balls shortly after seeing his middle order mates fail around him. Seven of his eight boundaries came through his favoured leg side.
New Zealand took tea at 145 for five and the crucial stand between Fleming and Hart grew in the final session.
Fleming was the aggressor, adding some fine strokes through the off side to his earlier dominance off his legs.
He raced to his century after the break, passing three figures with an extra cover drive for his 17th four.
Fleming continued to dominate the partnership before he fell to the off-spin of his opposite number, Hooper.
He edged a cut to first slip where Chris Gayle parried the sharp offering before clutching the rebound diving forward.
The West Indies took the second new ball late in the day but the pacers failed to maintain a consistent line and length and paid dearly.
Left-hander Daniel Vettori helped himself to five offside boundaries in an undefeated 21 off 29 balls.
Hart, in just his second Test, remained content to play the anchor role. His innings spanned three hours and 124 balls and did not contain any boundaries.
The five-day match continues Saturday.
