Fleming steadies New Zealand innings v Windies

WELLINGTON, Mar 18 (Reuters) New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming stroked a half century to steady his side after the loss of two early wickets to take them to 90 for two at lunch on the second day of the second test against West Indies today.

Fleming was 50 not out while Peter Fulton was on 32 in an unbroken 87-run third wicket partnership after New Zealand had initially slumped to three for two in reply to West Indies 192.

New Zealand pace bowler Kyle Mills had captured the last two wickets to wrap up West Indies first innings about 30 minutes after play began at the Basin Reserve.

Opening batsmen Hamish Marshall (three) and Jamie How (0) were dismissed off successive balls before Fleming attacked the fired-up West Indies bowlers and seized the initiative back.

Fleming scored at better than a run a ball as he dominated the early partnership with Fulton before settling towards the end of the first session, ensuring his side did not lose any more wickets.

Fulton, who had been initially circumspect, began to open up towards lunch and smashed the last ball before the break for his sixth boundary.

He was, however, lucky to have been still batting after fast bowler Fidel Edwards dropped a simple catch at mid-off then had the ignominy of seeing the ball trickle to the boundary.

The visitors, who began play on Saturday at 182 for eight after swing bowler James Franklin had torn through their middle order on the first day, scored just 10 further runs on Saturday.

Daren Powell failed to add to his overnight score of 16 before he was enticed into a drive by Mills and was caught by How in the gully.

Edwards (0) was also lured into a big drive in the next Mills over only to take an edge that was well held by Fleming in the slips. Ian Bradshaw was 20 not out.

Runako Morton top scored for West Indies with 63, while Franklin took five for 53.

Mills finished with three for 53 off 19.4 overs. New Zealand lead the three-test series 1-0 after a 27-run victory in Auckland last Monday.

REUTERS VJ RAI0538