Windies struggling to save Wellington test

WELLINGTON, Mar 19 (Reuters) Bad light halted play early on the third day of the second test between New Zealand and West Indies today with the visitors struggling to save the match and series.

West Indies were 118 for four at the close, after the players had left the field at 1545 local time (0845 Ist), with Shivnarine Chanderpaul on 13 and Dwayne Bravo on two and needing another 62 runs to make New Zealand bat again.

West Indies captain Chanderpaul, however, was lucky to have still been batting after he was dropped by counterpart Stephen Fleming before tea.

Fleming was taken to hospital for X-rays on his wrist after dropping Chanderpaul, who was on five at the time, but suffered only heavy bruising and should be fit to resume today.

Openers Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga were the only batsmen to appear comfortable against New Zealand's attack.

Gayle was dismissed for 68, his 22nd test half century, while Ganga was caught behind by wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum off Chris Martin during the first session for 23.

West Indies had gone to the tea break on 116 for four and added just two runs before the umpires offered them the light, which they had no hesitation in taking.

Low cloud and rain showers only made the gloomy conditions worse with play being abandoned at about 1700 local time.

SEIZED CONTROL Martin was the pick of New Zealand's bowlers, while part-timer Nathan Astle captured the prized wicket of world record holder Brian Lara for just one run.

New Zealand seized control of the match in the second session when they dismissed Runako Morton for seven, Lara for one and then Gayle just before the tea break.

New Zealand vice captain Daniel Vettori said the dismissals of Gayle and Lara had provided them with real impetus.

''I think those two big wickets were crucial,'' Vettori told reporters.

''Obviously getting out Brian and Chris Gayle, they're two huge players for them and have done well for a number of years, so those two were pretty important and so we felt pretty good after that.'' 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.

Gayle then swept at a straight delivery from 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 PM1459