Sarwan half century raises West Indies hopes

SYDNEY, Mar 10 (Reuters) West Indies vice-captain Ramnaresh Sarwan grafted a defiant half-century as the tourists fought back gamely on the second day of the first test against New Zealand in Auckland today.

Sarwan made an unbeaten 59 off 95 balls at Eden Park to help the tourists reach lunch on 160 for five in reply to New Zealand's first innings of 275.

All-rounder Dwayne Bravo was 28 not out with his team still 115 runs behind with five first-innings wickets in hand and the match in the balance.

Sarwan and Bravo shared an unbroken fifth wicket partnership of 70 after the West Indies resumed on 51-3 but lost two early wickets in the morning session.

Brian Lara departed for five when he was caught by substitute fielder Carl Cachopa at square leg after miss-timing a pull shot from fast bowler Shane Bond.

The West Indies lost a second wicket to slump to 90-5 when skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul was caught down the legside by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off paceman James Franklin.

But Sarwan and Bravo steadied the innings with a careful partnership. Sarwan raised a 24th test fifty off 71 balls with his eighth four while Bravo hit four boundaries before the interval.

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