Hart takes centrestage after the Fleming show

A patient 51 by New Zealand wicketkeeper Robbie Hart carried New Zealand to 322 for seven at lunch on the second day of the first Test match...

A patient 51 by New Zealand wicketkeeper Robbie Hart carried New Zealand to 322 for seven at lunch on the second day of the first Test match against the West Indies on Saturday.

Maintaining a vigilant guard against the West Indies attack, Hart took 290 minutes to put up his 50 off 201 balls.

Stephen Fleming ducks a ball. AP/PTI

He hit just one four as he probed his way forward with orthodox shots. Hart’s contribution was vital.

He came in on Friday when the middle order was crumbling around skipper Stephen Fleming at 117 for five, providing the perfect foil for Fleming’s impressive 130.

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Hart remained cautious on Saturday while partner Daniel Vettori made a bright start, hitting two fours off some loose bowling by Adam Sanford.

West Indies captain Carl Hooper replaced Sanford with Pedro Collins and the move paid off when Vettori was caught at square leg for 39 after hitting eight fours.

Scoreboard

New Zealand (1st innings): M Richardson b Sanford 41, L Vincent c Jacobs b Dillon 14, S Fleming c Gayle B Hooper 130, C Harris c Lara b Collins 0, N Astle c Lara b Dillon 2, C McMillan lbw Sanford 6, R Hart batting 51, D Vettori c Hinds b Collins 39, D Tuffey batting 28; Extras: lb-7, nb-4) 11

Total: (for 7 wkts) 322

Fall of wickets: 1-38, 2-88, 3-89, 4-106, 5-117, 6-225, 7-278

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Bowling: Dillon 28-6-73-2, Collins 24-5-80-2, Powell 19-6-38-0, Sanford 27-7-90-2, Hooper 13-5-21-1, Gayle 10-3-12-0, Sarwan 1-0-1-0