West Indies struggle to save Wellington test

WELLINGTON, Mar 19 (Reuters) Chris Gayle stroked his 22nd test half century but West Indies were struggling against New Zealand on the third day of the second test today.

Gayle was dismissed for 68 as the tourists reached 116 for four at tea, still needing another 64 runs to make New Zealand bat again after the home side were bowled out for 372, a lead of 180, in the first session at the Basin Reserve.

West Indies captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who was dropped by counterpart Stephen Fleming on five, was on 12 while Dwayne Bravo was on two.

Chris Martin was the pick of New Zealand's bowlers, with a tight line in overcast conditions, while part-timer Nathan Astle captured the prized wicket of world record holder Brian Lara for just one run.

Martin had figures of one for 28 off 15 overs, while Astle had taken one for 17 off 12 overs.

West Indies had started the session on 57 for one after Daren Ganga was dismissed for 23 before the break.

Runako Morton, the top scorer in West Indies' first innings, only added another five runs to his lunch score, when he was well caught by Fleming at slip off James Franklin for seven.

Lara, who looked tentative, played a loose push at a full length Astle delivery and was caught by Hamish Marshall at backward point.

Lara has scored just seven runs in four innings this series with a high score of five. He was warmly applauded by the crowd in what is surely to be his last test match in Wellington.

Chanderpaul also struggled, particularly against Martin, and survived the dropped catch which forced Fleming from the field to seek medical treatment.

Gayle, who had looked the only West Indies batsman to appear comfortable, swept at a straight delivery from Daniel Vettori and was trapped lbw, with less than five minutes to go until tea.

New Zealand had earlier been bowled out for 372 after Fidel Edwards cleaned up the tail with successive deliveries to finish with figures of five for 65.

New Zealand lead the three-test series 1-0.

REUTERS PM RK0935