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Twin tons give Windies control

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Kraigg Brathwaite struck his maiden Test century and Darren Bravo blazed a 128-ball ton as West Indies took control of the second Test against New Zealand at Port of Spain.

Resuming today on six for one in pursuit of New Zealand's 221 all out, West Indies lost nightwatchman Sulieman Benn cheaply but then Brathwaite, Bravo and Kirk Edwards attacked.

Edwards smashed 55 off 64 balls before Brathwaite, who hit 129, and Bravo put on 182 for the fourth wicket to help West Indies close on 310 for five.

Darren Bravo and Kraigg Brathwaite both hits tons to give West Indies control of the second Test against New Zealand in Port of Spain

The loss of both Bravo and Brathwaite late on took the shine off the day slightly for the hosts, but they are in a decent position nevertheless with a lead of 89 and five wickets still in hand - including Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who is four not out.

With New Zealand having convincingly won the opening of the three-Test series by 186 runs, West Indies would have been desperate for a strong showing at Queen's Park Oval and they did just that on day one as the Black Caps were bowled out relatively cheaply after winning the toss.

However, the loss of Chris Gayle late on day one followed by the dismissal of Benn for just four on Tuesday morning, bowled by Tim Southee, suggested that the Windies’ batsmen would not be able to build on the good work of their bowlers.

Edwards, Brathwaite and Bravo emphatically ensured that was not the case.

Edwards set the tone, striking seven fours and three sixes - each of which came off spinner Mark Craig - in scoring his seventh Test half-century.

He fell just before lunch when he feathered an edge through to wicketkeeper BJ Watling off leg-spinner Ish Sodhi's first over, but that proved to bring no respite for the tourists.

Edwards' departure brought Bravo to the crease, and he signalled his intent from the start, taking Sodhi for 10 off his first three deliveries to help West Indies reach lunch on 124 for three.

Rain at the start of the second session delayed proceedings, but once the match resumed Bravo and Brathwaite powered the home side into a position of strength heading into the third day.

Neither could see things through to the close though, with Bravo first to go as he holed out to Craig looking to hit Kane Williamson for his fifth six of the innings. Bravo faced 155 balls in total, adding 11 fours to his four maximums as he collected his sixth Test ton.

Brathwaite's vigil then ended just before stumps when he fell to the new ball, going caught and bowled to Boult having hit 13 fours as New Zealand enjoyed some late success on an otherwise tough day.


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