Kiwis pile on runs

Saturday, 18, Mar 2006 10:09

New Zealand are firmly in the driving seat after reaching 335-7 on day two of the second Test against the West Indies in Wellington.

Captain Stephen Fleming fell just short of his century as the hosts currently lead the Windies by 143 runs with three first innings wickets remaining.

The West Indies, resuming the day on 182-8, added just 10 runs to their overnight total as Kyle Mills quickly finished off the tail.

However, the West Indian bowlers immediately got stuck into the New Zealand batting line-up as first Hamish Marshall was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul off the bowling of Ian Bradshaw.

Then, with the next ball, Jamie How was bowled by Fidel Edwards to leave the home side on 3-2.

However, Fleming and Peter Fulton swung the game back in New Zealand's favour with a third wicket partnership of 165.

Fleming should have been out for 47 but he was dropped at fine leg and it was a move the Windies would regret as the captain added 50 more runs to his total before Dwayne Bravo took the catch off the bowling of Edwards when on 97.

Fulton was eventually out for 75 when he edged Daren Powell to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.

Powell had been struggling with flu throughout the day but managed to claim three wickets, adding Scott Styris (8) and Brendon McCullum (23) to Fleming's scalp.

However, Nathan Astle ended the day unbeaten on 65 and he will be looking to help the home side reach at least 400 tomorrow.