Auckland took the attack to the West Indies on the opening day of their three-day tour cricket match in Auckland today.
The home side went to tea on 256 for two after winning the toss and opting to bat first at Eden Park Outer Oval.
Auckland fully appreciated
a fine batting surface and short boundaries as they overcame the early loss of Martin Guptill, with skipper Richard Jones leading by example.
Jones crafted a fine, unbeaten 134 and shared a second wicket stand of 223 with tall left-hander Tim McIntosh.
Their partnership was broken shortly before tea when McIntosh was dismissed for 78, lifting his first-class aggregate this summer to 418 runs at an average of 69.
He was very much the junior partner to Jones as they went to lunch at 134 for one.
Jones continued to dominate after the interval, racing quickly to 13th first-class century before taking a more measured approach later on.
Jones has so far faced 203 balls, using the cut and pull strokes to telling affect as he hit 17 fours and three sixes.
Reece Young will resume with his captain after the break on nine.
After the start of play was delayed due to drizzle, the tourists' sole success in the first session came when opener Guptill edged Fidel Edwards to second slip.
Guptill, back in the side after an injury-enforced break, had scored 10 when Sewnarine Chattergoon held the offering with the Auckland total on 11 in the third over.
The oval has been a haven for batsmen this summer, with last week's domestic State Championship match between Auckland and Wellington producing 974 runs for the loss of just 12 wickets despite it being reduced to a three-day affair due to rain.
The match is the only warmup for the West Indies before the first of two tests against New Zealand, starting in Dunedin next Thursday.
- NZPA
