New Zealand's Martyn Guptill missed out on a well-deserved hundred against West Indies on Wednesday in the first test match of the series. Guptill played a patient knock, staying on the crease for 353 minutes facing 249 balls. 

 

Guptill gave his side a good start after captain Ross Taylor won the toss and chose to bat. The day was going smoothly for the Kiwis before West Indies struck twice late in the day to get back in the match. Guptill's wicket was taken by off-spinner Sunil Narine, who made his test debut with this test after playing five ODIs against England. 

 

Daniel Flynn and Martyn Guptill gave a good start to the New Zealand team, putting on a 97-run partnership for the first wicket. Flynn was caught at point by Powell on the bowling of Sunil Narine, who claimed his first test wicket with it. Guptill entered in another good partnership with the skipper, putting on 90 runs for the third wicket. Both were going smoothly before Narine struck again just six overs before the close of the day getting the skipper out bowled. And just when everyone was expecting a century from Guptill, he was caught at mid-on by Sammy while trying to sweep a rising delivery by Narine.

 

All in all, the Caribbean conditions were well-handled by the Kiwis whose top order showed some signs of resistance on the first day of the test match. New Zealand ended day one at 232/4 with a run rate of 2.57 runs per over. Narine was the best bowler for the West Indies ending day one with figures of 3 for 73 in 28 overs.