Scott Styris was the key figure as the BLACKCAPS recovered from a slow start on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies in Auckland.
Following on from his 90 in the One-Day International at Eden Park, the State Auckland Ace made an unbeaten century on day one of the first Test of The National Bank Series.
Styris came to the crease with the BLACKCAPS at 69 for four after a fine first session in Test cricket for Ian Bradshaw.
Bradshaw and Dwayne Smith both claimed three wickets apiece as the BLACKCAPS made 275 all out.
However, the outstanding performance of the day came from the Australian-born all-rounder.
After a 71-run fifth-wicket stand with Nathan Astle, who made 51, he helped move the hosts into a more healthy position and completed his ton moments before tail-ender Chris Martin succumbed.
He then removed Bradshaw and Chris Gayle to end the day in deservedly positive fashion.
Bradshaw’s impressive start to his own test career helped end Jamie How’s first innings at this level.
Shivnarine Chanderpaul had won his second consecutive toss at Eden Park and chose to field first.
His decision paid quick dividends as How, on 11, fell to an unorthodox run-out, courtesy of Bradshaw.
Hamish Marshall hit a straight drive off Bradshaw’s bowling, but the Test rooke diverted the ball on to the stumps at the bowling end.
The State Central Stags man was out of his crease and had no time to react as the bails were removed by an intuitive piece of improvisation.
Marshall also took his score to 11 before falling to Jerome Taylor, stroking a full toss straight at Fidel Edwards at mid-on.
Bradshaw then removed Peter Fulton (17) and Stephen Fleming (14) bringing Astle and Styris together.
Either side of the lunch break, it was Astle who took charge, making his half-century in 53 deliveries before falling to Dwayne Smith, adding to his five-for in the final ODI.
Smith also bowled Brenbdon McCullum 19 and had Daniel Vettori (6) caught by Chris Gayle, but Styris had helped his side move to 216 for seven by the end of the afternoon session.
James Franklin made six before tea, and added eight more before falling to Chris Gayle, caught by substitute fielder Rawl Lewos.
Shane Bond also fell to the Jamaican all-rounder, with Styris running out of partners on 87.
But Chris Martin held his own to allow his Aces team-mate to reach three figures, before being unlucky to fall for to Bradshaw
The Windies opening pair of Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga survived a number of appeals to make 47 before Martin broke through, Ganga finding How at slip and returning for 20.
Bradshaw arrived at the crease as a nightwatchman, but was back in the pavilion after facing four balls without scoring.
Styris then removed Gayle, caught McCullum, for 25 in the same over as his productive spell continued.
Ramnaresh Sarwan (3) and Brian Lara (no score) were the not-out batters as the day end with the visitors on 51 for three.
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