West Indies chase 474 for victory over New Zealand

Pedro Collins took six wickets for the West Indies as New Zealand were bowled out for 243 in their second innings of the first Test on Sunday to set the home team a formidable victory target of 474.

At close of play on the third day West Indies openers Chris Gayle and Wavell Hinds had put on five runs as they began the long chase.

New Zealand, who scored 337 in their first innings, started the day on four for one after bowling themselves into a commanding position on Saturday when they dismissed the hosts for a meagre 107.

Left-arm paceman Collins posted Test best figures of six for 76 with nine maidens although New Zealand remain strong favourites to claim their first-ever Test victory in the West Indies.

After removing opener Mark Richardson for a duck on Saturday evening, he continued to bowl with determination and claimed his second wicket of the innings early on Sunday when he trapped Lou Vincent lbw for two.

The tourists slumped to 69-4 at lunch, but a 76-run partnership between Nathan Astle and Stephen Fleming helped them build an overall lead of 401 at tea.

Astle hit 11 fours before Brian Lara caught him in the slips for 77 from a Collins delivery.

Astle began his innings aggressively, hitting eight fours from three overs by Adam Sanford in which the hapless pace bowler conceded 35 runs.

He redeemed himself somewhat after tea, taking the wickets of Fleming for 34 and Daniel Vettori to finish with figures of two for 60 from 16 overs.

West Indies skipper Carl Hooper did well to slow down Astle, who sped to his 50 off 51 balls in 75 minutes, with some tidy off-spin. Astle was eventually dismissed for 77 after facing 112 balls.

GREATEST THREAT

But it was Collins who posed the greatest threat to New Zealand, getting swing and movement across right-handed batsmen Astle and Craig McMillan.

He made an early breakthrough after lunch when McMillan was caught for one by Hooper at second slip and he was unlucky when Robbie Hart edged a ball to Lara who could not get his fingers between the ball and the ground.

Collins wrapped up the innings when he ended some stiff late resistance from the lower order, having Ian Butler caught behind by Jacobs for 26.

Collins said: "In the last one-day game (against New Zealand) we had 292 to get and we did it. We believed we could get there. We are still in with a chance in this game."

Kiwi coach Denis Aberhart said: "It would have been nice to get a wicket tonight but it was nice to set them a target of 474 after being 117 for five on the first day.

"If we bowl well enough we will win the game. There is inconsistent bounce on the wicket. All we need to do is bowl straight enough."

Mail Cricket Editor