Campbell, Griffith plunder NZ attack

HAMILTON, DECEMBER 16: A record-breaking opening partnership put the West Indies in control of the first cricket Test against New Zealand ...

HAMILTON, DECEMBER 16: A record-breaking opening partnership put the West Indies in control of the first cricket Test against New Zealand at stumps on day one here on Thursday.

Opting to bat, West Indies went on the rampage through openers Adrian Griffith 103 batting and Sherwin Campbell 170, who added 276 before the latter fell. The opening pair passed the West Indies first wicket partnership record against New Zealand of 225, held by Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, but fell short of the all-time opening partnership record of 298. That is also held by Greenidge and Haynes and was notched up against England in 1989-90 at St John8217;s, Antigua.

Barbadian Campbell also scored centuries in both innings of a warm-up match against Auckland this week. He dedicated his innings to former West Indies Test trio Conrad Hunte, Malcolm Marshall and Sylvester Clarke, who all died in the space of a month between November and early December.

8220;They were fine players and West Indian cricket misses them verymuch,8221; Campbell told reporters.

8220;I also dedicate the century to my wife Rosalind and my daughter Sherice, whose second birthday I will miss next month.8221;

Campbell was dropped at first slip by Craig Spearman off the bowling of off-spinner Paul Wiseman when on 81. He eventually fell 15 minutes before the close when he tried to hook seamer Dion Nash, only to sky a catch to wicketkeeper Adam Parore.

Campbell and Griffith started the match conservatively, scoring only 57 in the first session, but lifted the tempo by adding 125 in the second session.

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8220;It8217;s great to bat with someone who is as steady as Adrian,8221; Campbell said of his opening partner. 8220;He gave me confidence to go for my shots today.8221;

Campbell said he was disappointed to get out when he did, adding that he had been in a comfortable groove. 8220;I tried to hook a ball that was rising all the time and perhaps it wasn8217;t the wisest thing to do,8221; he said.

Nightwatchman Dinanath Ramnarine was five not out at theclose.

SCOREBOARD

West Indies 1st innings:

Adrian Griffith batting 103, Sherwin Campbell c Parore b Nash 170, Dinanath Ramnarine batting 5. Extras lb2, nb2: 4. Total for 1 wicket, in 92 overs: 282

Fall of wickets: 1-276

Bowling: Cairns 16-4-59-0, Nash 17-7-51-1, Vettori 21-5-56-0, Astle 13-2-45-0, Wiseman 21-10-47-0, McMillan 4-1-22-0