Dunedin: Jerome Taylor was the unlikely hero with the bat as his frenetic century at No. 8 altered the course of the match and upset New Zealand's plans after they held the edge in the morning. Taylor bettered his previous best first-class score of 40, pounded the attack after it drifted into complacency and finally showed glimpses of his potential as a useful lower-order batsman.
Coming to the crease with the West Indies in some trouble at 173 for six, still 189 runs behind the New Zealand first innings total of 365, Taylor bludgeoned 17 fours and three sixes on his way to 106.
His partnership with veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was last man out for 76, took the West Indies to a first innings total of 340.
At the close New Zealand had moved to 44 for two, with Tim McIntosh on 28 and Daniel Flynn not out four. They earlier lost opener Jamie How bowled by Daren Powell for 10 and night watchman Kyle Mills the very next ball, also bowled by Powell.
When he eventually fell to a feathered catch to keeper Brendon McCullum off spinner Daniel Vettori (6-56), he and Chanderpaul had put on 153 for the seventh wicket.
Reports by session
1st Session: Runs 119, Wkt 4, Ovr 35
2nd Session: Runs 95, Wkt 2, Ovr 31
3rd Session: Runs 131, Wkt 6, Ovr 30
Brief Score: New Zealand 365 and 44 for 2 (Powell 2-17) lead West Indies 340 (Taylor 106, Chanderpaul 76, Gayle 74) by 69 runs
Full Scorecard