Black Caps In Box Seat On Day Five

In a see-sawing match the Black Caps are in the box seat in the first test match against the West Indies in Hamilton.

Rain may have saved the West Indies as it ended play just after lunch yesterday with the Windies on the ropes at 66 for four.

The West Indies started their second innings disasterously and early on were three down for just one run.

A fired up Chris Cairns clean bowled in form opener Sherwin Campbell with a very quick ball and then only a few balls later had Chanderpaul caught behind.

Next over Nash tempted a drive from West Indian captain Brian Lara which was edged to Adam Parore. Both Cairns and Nash troubled the batsmen with perfect line and length and with Nash extracting seam movement.

At 1pm rain interrupted play for ten minutes. Shortly after play resumed Daniel Vettori found the edge of Powell's bat which was held by Craig Spearman.

Vettori has been bowling superbly with delightful flight and significant turn.

Before play was interrupted just before lunch Adams and Griffith had consolidated the situation a little for the visitors to 66 for four.

With just a narrow deficit the Black Caps will be hoping to finish off the Windies early today and get back in to get the required runs.

With a fine day in Hamilton and an extra hour of play there is a real chance the Black Caps could snatch victory on the final day of this match.

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