Franklin rips through Windies batting

WELLINGTON, Mar 17 (Reuters) New Zealand seamer James Franklin ripped through West Indies batting line-up, taking five for 44 off 17 overs, as the visitors slumped to 182 for eight at the end of the first day of the second test today.

Runako Morton was the only batsman to offer any resistance with a belligerent 63, which included 11 boundaries and a six in his 117-ball innings.

Play ended early at the Basin Reserve after bad light and rain showers had created several delays throughout the day.

Daren Powell was 16 not out while Ian Bradshaw was on 10.

''I was the fortunate one to take the lion's share of the wickets but they did an awesome job,'' Franklin told reporters of his colleagues.

''I have to commend the efforts of (Kyle) Mills bowling into the wind, he did a really good job and so did Chris Martin.

''We bowled well today and worked well together as a bowling unit and got some rewards.'' The late withdrawal of New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond due to a stomach virus may have been a factor in West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul's decision to bat on a cool but clear day.

Daren Ganga and Chris Gayle put on 45 for the opening partnership before New Zealand struck back with three wickets for just six runs.

Gayle and Ganga were caught by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum.

Gayle went for 30 when Franklin found the edge and Ganga fell for 15 in the next over when he flicked Kyle Mills down the leg-side and McCullum held a diving catch.

World record holder Brian Lara managed just one before he nicked a catch off Franklin to Stephen Fleming at first slip, leaving the visitors in trouble on 49 for three.

Morton and Chanderpaul briefly steadied the innings until the skipper was caught behind by Stephen Fleming off what television replays showed was his thigh pad by Chris Martin.

Dwayne Bravo (nine) was lbw and Denesh Ramdin (two) bowled in the space of two Franklin overs before Rawl Lewis's breezy knock of 22 ended when he holed out to Fleming for Martin's second wicket.

''There was a bit of swing there early on and it went off the wicket as well, but it probably exaggerated the swing movement,'' said Franklin.

''I think the bowlers in general were happy with the areas they were bowling at and fortunately the batsmen nicked a few balls.'' Rain then sent the visitors to an early tea at 161 for seven, before play was restricted to just seven overs in the final session with West Indies adding 20 runs before Franklin trapped Morton in front to give him his third five-wicket haul in 15 tests.

New Zealand are 1-0 up in the three-match series after winning by 27 runs in Auckland.

REUTERS PM SP1254