New Zealand took control of the second Test against West Indies despite rain washing out the middle session of day two in Wellington.
The Black Caps had reached lunch on 441 all out, boosted by a 58-run partnership between BJ Watling and Trent Boult for the last wicket, and the tourists finished the day on 158 for four to trail by 283 runs.
Watling, eight not out overnight, scored 65 and Boult was unbeaten with a rapid 38 to capitalise on Ross Taylor’s ton yesterday.
Tim Southee and Ish Sodhi contributed a swift 21 and steady 27 respectively before Neil Wagner fell for a duck. But that brought Boult together with Watling and the former provided the fireworks as the latter continued to build his innings.
Watling finally fell when he was bowled by Shannon Gabriel, Tino Best having claimed the wickets of Sodhi and Wagner in consecutive balls to finish with 4-110.
Southee trapped Kieran Powell in front for 21 despite a review and Corey Anderson had Daren Bravo caught at second slip, but Kirk Edwards made 55 before falling to Anderson via a leading edge.
Crucially Shivnarine Chanderpaul chipped Trent Boult to cover-point, meaning much rests on Marlon Samuels, who is unbeaten on 50.