Sawt Falasteen - Conway 120 as New Zealand in command at 216-0 against West Indies

The 34-year-old brought up his sixth Test century from 147 balls, hitting 17 boundaries during his stay and was unbeaten on 120 at the interval.

Conway and captain Tom Latham, 87 not out, did not offer a single chance to the West Indies bowlers, who were made to toil in the first two sessions of the match without so much as a single lbw shout.

It is the fifth biggest opening stand for New Zealand with the promise of more to come, justifying Latham's decision to bat first on a green-looking wicket that is tipped to suit spin later in the match.

The West Indies seamers found good movement off the grassy surface in the opening overs, bowling tight lines which had both Conway and Latham defending cautiously, but they became more aggressive once the new ball was seen off.

It was Conway's second century of the calendar year, having also scored 153 against Zimbabwe in August, but his first at home since January 2022 against Bangladesh in Christchurch.

West Indies skipper Roston Chase said he would have bowled.

At a suggestion spin would play a part later in the match said he would "have to see it to believe it".

But after just 22 overs, Chase was on to bowl his offspin, so far taking 0-45 in 12 overs.

Jayden Seales was the most miserly of the ineffective West Indies attack, sending down 14 overs for 40 runs.

New Zealand included spinner Ajaz Patel in their side for his first home Test in five years. Tom Blundell returned to keep wicket after missing the previous Test with injury.

The West Indies made one change, with the injured fast bowler Ojay Shields replaced by batsman Alick Athanaze.

New Zealand lead the three match series 1-0, after a draw in the first Test in Christchurch, and a nine-wicket win in Wellington.

L.Hussein--SF-PST