NZ lead West Indies by 18 runs on first innings

SYDNEY, Mar 10 (Reuters) New Zealand led West Indies by just 18 runs in the first innings after bowling out the visitors for 257 at tea on the second day of the first test in Auckland today.

The West Indies had resumed on 51-3, still 224 behind New Zealand's first-day total of 275, and added 206 for the loss of their final seven wickets before falling just short of the home team's score.

Vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan top-scored with a gritty 62 from 108 balls while all-rounder Dwayne Bravo made a patient 59 off 129 deliveries on the temporary drop-in pitch at Eden Park.

The pair added 89 for the sixth wicket after the West Indies slumped to 90-5 before lunch when Brian Lara (five) and skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul (13) both departed cheaply.

Bravo also shared a vital 58-run stand with Dwayne Smith (38) for the seventh wicket to help the visitors inch towards a first innings lead before the last three wickets tumbled for just nine runs.

Medium-pacer Chris Martin dismissed Bravo and Smith to finish with 3-80 from his 17 overs while Shane Bond, Scott Styris and spinner Daniel Vettori captured two wickets each.

REUTERS PM KP0918