Fidel Edwards put the venom back into West Indies cricket as New Zealand were pounded in the final session of the first test at Eden Park today.
New Zealand were reduced to 98 for four in their second innings at stumps to take a 116-run lead into the third day
tomorrow after the tourists were dismissed for 257 in their first innings before tea in reply to New Zealand's 275.
Judging by the thunderbolts delivered, the Black Caps could need reinforcing on their helmets tomorrow as Edwards produced a classic display of fast, aggressive bowling.
He cracked first innings centurion Scott Styris on the grill of his helmet and the following over directed another bullet at Styris' temple, which was hooked to fine leg where Ian Bradshaw took a great boundary catch.
New Zealand slumped to 88 for four before Stephen Fleming's unbeaten 19 and James Franklin, on three, guided them through to minefield.
The home side must feel like bullseyes are painted on their helmets because Styris was not the first batsman worked over.
Veteran Nathan Astle was sent for a head scan today after Jerome Taylor smashed a delivery into his helmet midway through yesterday's play.
It was Astle's second successive head knock in as many matches and he had a scan this afternoon, which cleared him of any serious health concerns.
Astle did not field today and team management was unsure when he would resume playing.
It was Edwards, who nailed Astle last Saturday in a one-day international at the same ground, and the "Smiling Assassin" had also broken through Fleming's defences in the first one-dayer.
New Zealand fast bowler Shane Bond said Edwards' slingy action had made it difficult to pick his bouncers.
"Most of the guys haven't been hit a lot during their careers. (Lasith) Malinga from Sri Lanka and probably Edwards have distinctive actions so it makes it more difficult to pick up," Bond said.
"Because of the nature of the pitch some fire through and some don't so it means guys are going to be hit more often.
"A few of the West Indies boys took some, but it was more on the body than the swede (head). It's just part and parcel of the game so you accept it and move on."
Bond said he expected a result inside of four days and felt the West Indies had their noses slightly in front at this stage.
"I think we're a little bit disappointed.
"If we were 100 for one at stumps we would be well in control of the game, but at this stage I would say they're a little bit ahead because the deck's getting better.
"But we've got some capable batsmen to come and we have to make sure we put some runs on the board. The first session tomorrow will be crucial."
The New Zealanders have issues with their novice top-three batting line-up as the gamble to play debutant Jamie How, novice international opener Hamish Marshall and new cap Peter Fulton crashed today with all three out by the time the home side had reached 73.
Marshall's trial as an opener failed again. After scoring 11 in the first innings, he was dismissed for one today when he played a tentative drive at an angled Ian Bradshaw half volley.
How scored 37 in less than convincing fashion while Fulton was bowled for 28 by a inswinger from Edwards.
Earlier, Chris Martin and Daniel Vettori ripped through the West Indies lower order as the tourists' last four wickets fell for 20 runs.
Vettori took two for seven -- his first collect on Eden Park in three tests since taking a five-wicket bag against Australia six years ago.
The tourists, resuming on 51 for three, were dismissed in 71.2 overs, after appearing set to at least equal New Zealand's score following a solid 89-run partnership for the sixth wicket between Ramnaresh Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo, who both hit fine half-centuries.
The pair came together after Brian Lara was dismissed in the fourth over of the day for five after just nine runs were added to the overnight score.
Lara lobbed a Bond delivery to substitute fieldsman Carl Cachopa, field in place of Astle at square leg.
Minutes later skipper Shivnarine Chanderpaul departed for 13 and the West Indies were lurching at 90 for five.
Scoreboard at stumps, day two
New Zealand
First innings 275
West Indies
First innings (overnight 51-3) 257
C Gayle c McCullum b Styris 25
D Ganga c How b Martin 20
I Bradshaw c How b Styris 0
R Sarwan c Franklin b Bond 62
B Lara c sub (Cachopa) b Bond 5
S Chanderpaul c McCullum b Franklin 13
D Bravo c Bond b Martin 59
D Smith c McCullum b Martin 38
D Ramdin c and b Vettori 9
F Edwards c McCullum b Vettori 1
J Taylor not out 4
Extras (7lb, 13nb, 1w) 21
Total (71.2 overs) 257
Fall: 47 (Ganga), 48 (Bradshaw), 49 (Gayle), 60 (Lara), 90 (Chanderpaul), 179 (Sarwan), 237 (Smith), 248 (Bravo), 252 (Ramdin), 257 (Edwards).
Bowling: S Bond 19-4-57-2 (3nb), J Franklin 21-4-83-1 (6nb, 1w), C Martin 17-1-80-3 (3nb), S Styris 7-1-23-2, D Vettori 7.2-3-7-2 (1nb).
New Zealand
Second innings
H Marshall c Ganga b Bradshaw 1
J How c Ramdin b Bradshaw 37
P Fulton b Edwards 28
S Fleming not out 19
S Styris c Bradshaw b Edwards 5
J Franklin not out 3
Extras (1lb, 3nb, 1w) 5
Total (for 4 wkts, 34 overs) 98
Fall: 11 (Marshall), 66 (How), 73 (Fulton), 88 (Styris).
Bowling: F Edwards 10-3-27-2 (3nb), I Bradshaw 13-2-34-2 (1w), J Taylor 1-0-6-0, C Gayle 4-0-15-0, D Smith 6-2-15-0.
- NZPA
Ramnaresh Sarwan of the West Indies puts the ball past the hands of Jamie How of New Zealand today. Phil Walter / Getty Images
Fidel Edwards put the venom back into West Indies cricket as New Zealand were pounded in the final session of the first test at Eden Park today.
New Zealand were reduced to 98 for four in their second innings at stumps to take a 116-run lead into the third day
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.