KINGSTON, Jamaica — West Indies, leading the two-match series 1-0, struck two early blows before lunch Thursday in restricting New Zealand to 74 for 2 having won the toss and electing to field on day one of the second Test at Sabina Park. New Zealand was without spinner Daniel Vettori and also batsman Daniel Flynn owing to groin strains suffered in the opening Test which the Black Caps lost by nine wickets. The Black Caps had Martin Guptill, who made 97 in the first innings of the opening Test, and recalled South Africa-born Bradley John Watling opening on a pitch moist from overnight rain. But Watling had made just two when Kemar Roach had him caught at first slip by Chris Gayle after a forward poke with the score on just 10. There was worse to follow for the visitors as having added just a bye they had No. 3 Brendon McCullum edged to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin for a duck off the bowling of Tino Best. Skipper Ross Taylor arrived to steady the ship with Guptill as they saw their side through to lunch without further loss having put on a partnership of 62. West Indies captain Darren Sammy has started the Test confidently saying his side can complete a series sweep over New Zealand by winning the match. “It's just half the job done in the series. We are going to play to win,” Sammy said. “It's a long while we haven't won two Test matches in a row so we're looking forward to playing here. We've responded quite well under pressure throughout this series and we're doing some good things. The guys are more aware of the job at hand,” he added. — Agencies
