Gayle sizzles under the sun

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 once again showed his ability to take wickets early in a new spell.

The fast-improving 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, the first over third man and the other down the wicket.

The West Indies innings had looked close to its end when Ian Butler had Ridley Jacobs caught at gully by Scott Styris for 17.

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.

Gayle’s career-best 204, which was liberally peppered with flowing boundaries, has so far been the highlight of the Test.

New Zealand all-rounder Styris also made a memorable 107 runs on his Test debut on Saturday.

The tourists lead the series 1-0 after clinching victory in the Barbados Test last Monday.