The first scoring shot said virtually everything about the opening day of the first New Zealand test at Hamilton: a loosener from Dion Nash wide outside West Indies opener Sherwin Campbell's off stump casually flicked high over point for four.

When Campbell departed just 15 minutes short of stumps, his score was 170, the West Indies had 282 and he was New Zealand's only success of the day. Campbell and Adrian Griffith between them had set a new opening stand against New Zealand of 276, Griffith had completed his maiden test century and was not out on 103 and things generally look bleak for the New Zealanders going into the second day.

Campbell had much to thank his captain for. Brian Lara made only one appearance on the field but it was long enough to win the toss and ensure his batsmen first use of a pitch that offered little invitation to the pace men. So it proved. New Zealand went into the match with Chris Cairns and Dion Nash as its opening pair but what bounce was available was generally slow, neither West Indian looking in any trouble. The result was the unusual sight of spin, in the form of Daniel Vettori's orthodox left arm, in action in the 10th over.

While neither batsman was in any difficulty, it did appear the gentle grass surrounds of Hamilton's WestpacTrust Park had created a gentle Sunday atmosphere instead of the tension of a test match. Only 23 runs came off the 14 overs in the first hour. The scoring rate picked up in the second hour but even then West Indies went to lunch at just 57.

There were few shots in anger, the notable exception being a six Griffith hooked off Nash in the 23rd over. Nash and Griffith engaged in their private duel, with Nash regularly running the ball across the West Indies lefthander and not appreciating Griffith's late withdrawal of the bat from danger. The New Zealand captain, Stephen Fleming, rang the changes, replacing Vettori with Nathan Astle's medium pace after 20 overs, swapping Nash for Cairns at the northern end and introducing Paul Wiseman's off spin, all before lunch.

Lunch appeared to have an invigorating affect. The West Indies pair came out with a marked increase in urgency. Cairns in particular suffered. Anything short was punished by both batsmen as they raced each other to their 50s, Campbell's coming in the 36th over and Griffith's in the 37th.

Fleming tried a double change, Astle for Vettori and Wiseman for Cairns. It made little difference to the scoring rate. Campbell in particular was speeding along with quick singles interspersed with what was clearly becoming a trademark shot. A very laid-back cut collected runs for him over, round or through point. By the first hour after lunch, the score had raced to 144.

But just when the pair looked to be about to take complete control, New Zealand won a reprieve, albeit temporary. Wiseman got some turn and both batsmen became more watchful. Campbell even offered some hope. His trademark cut sent a ball off Wiseman into Spearman at slip, who made a despairing dive behind wicketkeeper Adam Parore, just failing to get under the falling ricochet.

However, Wiseman's increasing turn encouraged Fleming to bring on Vettori at the opposite end. The spin duo kept the West Indies openers quiet, extracting the occasional false shot but still failing to dislodge them. Containment was not enough. Craig McMillan was given a couple of overs of his eccentric brand of medium pace before tea. If it was an effort to encourage a false shot or two, it failed. Instead, Campbell went to his 100, with a cut, of course, for four. Campbell's third century in two games (he collected two against Auckland), came in 177 minutes off 224 balls and included four fours.

After tea, McMillan continued while Nash replaced Wiseman. The pressure the spinners applied dissolved. Campbell hooked McMillan for six and then droves replacement bowler Astle for four. The cut is not the only shot he has.

With the new ball due in five overs, Fleming gave Wiseman and Vettori another spell in tandem. Again the West Indies looked less certain. Campbell tried to go down the pitch to Wiseman, only to misjudge the flight and find the ball going into his pads. Griffith, who had been particularly watchful, cut hard into Fleming close on the off for what would have been a miraculous catch if taken. Signs that the pace was worrying the batsmen came with a couple of close calls in their running, which had always been sharp. Direct hits could have been interesting.

In the 85th over, the new ball was taken, Cairns and Nash doing the honours. And again the shackles seemed to come off. Griffith used the pace over slips for four off Cairns, and then brought up his maiden test century with a stand-up-and-deliver straight drive back over the bowler. He had been at the crease for 325 minutes, facing 261 balls and included 10 fours and one six.

Cairns and Nash were both getting some lift with the new ball. Griffith in particular offered some tired shots but it was Campbell who fell. Going for a hook off Nash, he caught a top edge, the ball going high behind stumps with Parore doing the honours under the gathering crowd of fielders.

Campbell's 170 had taken 342 minutes and 260 balls and included 23 fours and two sixes and while the cut was the feature shot he branched out with some gusto when the occasion demanded.

Time available after his departure for nightwatchman Dinanath Ramnarine to look uncomfortable until the last ball of the day, which he straight drove past Nash for four. It could be an omen of things to come for the New Zealand bowlers.

The pick of them was Wiseman. His 21 overs included 10 maidens and cost 47 runs. More important of all the New Zealanders, he looked the most likely to encourage an error. For the rest, other than the occasional expensive over, they were never totally collared. But they did not look like taking wickets either. They have a challenging day ahead.

© 1999