A century from Ross Taylor helped New Zealand to 307 for six on the opening day of the second Test against West Indies in Wellington.
Taylor hit 129 as the home side recovered from a bad start in their bid to take the lead in the best-of-three series following a drawn opening Test in Dunedin.
Taylor formed useful partnerships with Kane Williamson, Corey Anderson and Brendon McCullum, the Black Caps recovering from losing openers Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford cheaply following West Indies’ decision to bowl.
Fulton was removed by Sammy, caught behind by Denesh Ramdin, and Rutherford fell likewise off Tino Best.
But from 24 for two, the home side – aided by some drops in the field – made it to lunch without further loss thanks to Taylor and Williamson.
Yet while the latter set the tone for players failing to capitalise on starts, Taylor followed up his first-Test double century by reaching three figures again.
He had looked set to finish the day unbeaten but was the sixth man out with 14 balls of the day remaining.
After scoring 129 runs from 227 balls, including 15 fours, he fell to Shannon Gabriel with Shane Shilingford taking the catch.
BJ Watling and Tim Southee saw New Zealand to the close without further loss, Best ending as the day’s best bowler having claimed two wickets.