New Zealand stay alive in second Test

Kiwis remain in contention to save the second Test after hosts West Indies take 241-run lead in the first-innings.

Tom Latham will be looking to add to his 30 and take NZ closer to West Indies' score [AP]

New Zealand battled back strongly after conceding a first innings lead of 239 in the second Test against the West Indies, reaching 73-1 in its second innings at close on the third day at the Queen’s Park Oval.

Kane Williamson hit an unbeaten 38 and shared a determined, unbroken second wicket stand of 64 with opener Tom Latham, who struck 30 not out. Pacer Jerome Taylor removed stand-in opener Brendon McCullum, the Kiwi skipper, and finished with 1-15.

The West Indies, replying to New Zealand’s first innings of 221, had earlier stretched its overnight 310-5 to 460 all out half hour before tea.

Newcomer Jermaine Blackwood hit a forthright 63 off 110 balls with six fours and two sixes. He shared stands of 47 with veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul and 76 with captain Denesh Ramdin to help ram home the advantage the hosts had built on day two.

Chanderpaul struck five fours and a six in 47 while Ramdin hit four boundaries in 32 off 67 balls.

Source: AP