KEY POINTS:
Brendan Nash's maiden test half century was also proof the Australian-born batsman is not out of place in the West Indies cricket side.
The first white player to represent the West Indies in a test since Geoff Greenidge's debut against New Zealand in Guyana in 1972, the diminutive
former Queensland state representative needed just two test innings to pass a cricketing milestone - his first test 50 - in the second test at McLean Park.
Mindful he is still probably on trial in the eyes of many Caribbean cricket fans unconvinced about the relevance of having a 31-year-old import in their ranks, Nash was hopeful his 74 in the West Indies' first innings of 258 for six would placate the doubters.
Qualifying for the West Indies through his Jamaican-born parents Paul and Andrea, Nash only sought to play test cricket outside his native Australia last year after visiting Jamaica during the World Cup.
His contract with Queensland had not been renewed so he decided to relocate his career to Kingston - a move that certainly raised eyebrows in Jamaica and the West Indies' other cricketing enclaves.
"The first few months were rough when I moved to Jamaica,' he said after sharing in a pivotal fifth wicket stand of 163 with centurion Shivnarine Chanderpaul. "I basically went into trial matches for Jamaica without playing any local cricket so that was a big thing for the crowds that went to the games to understand.
"I guess the people maybe didn't understand why I was coming over but I think once they got to know me and that my goals were for the good of Jamaican cricket they relaxed a little bit and gave me a chance."
Nash would not say whether the sideways glances also translated to stronger adverse reactions but after helping the West Indies recover from a shaky 74 for four after the first day's opening session he said: "I didn't react in any way. I tried to make my performances speak for themselves, which they did, so that warranted my selection for Jamaica and in one season I think I achieved quite a lot."
Nash's bat did the talking, he soon earned his place in the Jamaica team for the 2007 KFC Cup, and last season's first-class Carib Beer Cup competition.
The West Indies selectors, frustrated by batsmen who repeatedly failed to produce at international level, turned to him after his Caribbean returns of 422 runs at an average of 46.88 (including two hundreds against Trinidad and Tobago, the second in Jamaica's Challenge final victory).
His first exposure to a West Indies side occurred in August when he was named in the one-day side to play Bermuda and Canada, though his circumspect batting approach is clearly more suited to the longer version of the game.
Named to bat at No 6 in the first test in Dunedin, Nash scored a solid 23 before crafting an even more impressive 74 off 162 balls on Friday, given the context of the match.
With the West Indies in difficulty late in the opening session, Nash and Chanderpaul combined for more than 54 overs to repair some of the damage. Unfortunately for Nash he was dismissed less than 30 minutes before stumps, his wicket followed soon after by wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin.
"It was the wrong time to get out for the team and obviously I was close to a personal milestone [his first test century]," he lamented.
Nash and Chanderpaul, who resumed yesterday on 100 alongside Jerome Taylor on one, consciously batted within themselves after lunch in a bid to conserve wickets.
"We really tried to consolidate during the first hour, that was important - the gates may have been opened if we lost me or Shiv," he said.
It was dour, but effective, with Nash showing the dogged qualities often associated with sportspeople across the Tasman.
Yet there was no doubt where his heart lies.
"I've only spent a relatively short time in the Caribbean but having two Jamaican parents with very strong heritage ... I feel very proud to be stepping out for the West Indies," Nash said.
"It's a very big privilege and something I'm not taking for granted. "
- NZPA
