New Zealand started the 3rd day at 113-3, with their composed captain, Steven Flemming, 18 not out overnight, and night-watchman Daniel Vettori on 5 not out, the team needing to bat well but under some pressure. This was in response to the very disappointing final West Indian total of 365, after being 282-1 at the end of the 1st day. Both West Indian openers had made centuries. Sherwin Campbell made his third consecutive century of this tour and his second highest Test score, 170, while Adrian Griffith managed his maiden Test century, 114. By the time the day was done, New Zealand had taken the initiative slightly away from the West Indies.

In the pre-lunch session, Flemming was very organized in his stroke play, playing all of the West Indian bowlers, especially right-arm leg spinner, Dininath Ramnarine, with great assuredness. Meanwhile, Vettori, then on 6 and the score on 116-3, in the 5th over of the day, should have become Courtney Walsh's 425th Test wicket. Vettori edged a delivery from the venerable fast bowler to Ricardo Powell at second slip, only to see the Test debutant spill a comfortable regulation-type shoulder-high catch.

Over the next hour, the batsmen capitalized with some cheeky running between the wickets and some intelligent strokeplay. They seemed to be getting the best of the bowlers when Vettori became too ambitious, drove King well, but airily, to extra-cover, where Jimmy Adams took a wonderful diving catch. Vettori out for 29, New Zealand 162-4.

Nathan Astle, 16, and Fleming, 52, took New Zealand to lunch at 194-4, Flemming having progressed to his 24th Test half century and looking in full control. 81 runs made and one wicket taken in the session. The fire-works came later.

Fleming had stroked his way to 66 when he slashed once too often at Ramnarine, edging to wicket-keeper Ridley Jacobs. 215-5 in over #83. Astle then continued where his captain had left off, playing some delightful strokes, all positive and mostly on the front foot, as he plundered 48, with six 4's, in a busy stay of 116 minutes at the crease. His new partner, Craig McMillan, was more circumspect.

The second new ball was eventually taken after 90 overs and Courtney Walsh finally got Astle's wicket, Walsh's 425th Test wicket, with a good fast bouncer which found Astle in no-man's-land, neither forward nor back, Ramnarine at wide mid-on taking a good running catch. New Zealand 258-6.

Everything happened after this. The very next ball, newcomer Chris Cairns attempted his first run. Shivnarine Chanderpaul's throw from wide mid-on hit the non-striker's stumps directly. Although the resulting appeal was turned down by the third umpire, David Quested, the consensus of opinion on and off the field was that Cairns was out, run out. Even the available replays confirmed that. The West Indies team on the field, very upset at the non-decision, simply went to pieces.

They, especially Franklyn Rose, bowled rather badly, while Cairns batted very well. At tea, Cairns was 38, McMillan 19, New Zealand a healthy 305-6. 111 runs were scored in the two hour session for the loss of two wickets.

Afterwards, anything bowled less than at a good length was hammered everywhere by Cairns. He motored past 50 in only 71 minutes, from 50 deliveries. By the time he was finally out, caught by Campbell on the long off boundary from the bowling of Ramnarine, Cairns had made 72, which included nine 4's and two massive 6's, one from Rose's bowling over long-on. Cairns and McMillan had put on 116 for the 7th wicket.

During this period, the new West Indian coach, Viv Richards, who had succeeded in getting the team to relax, enjoy themselves while performing, could actually be heard from the press area to be urging his players to keep cool, be professional but to do the right things. Richards is nothing is he is not passionate about West Indies cricket.

McMillan was soon out too, for a patient 51, driving at a half volley, from the bowling of the persevering King, caught by Jacobs 379-8. That expanded itself to 393 all out, a once improbable lead of 28 for New Zealand, after Adam Parore ran himself out, losing the battle to Ricardo Powell's direct throw, and Dion Nash was caught by Jacobs from King's bowling for 6.

King was the best West Indian bowler, in figures and from observation, ending with 4-81 from 26.2 overs, while Ramnarine finished with a creditable 3-82 from 36 overs and Walsh, a trying 2-81 from 29 overs. 88 runs scored in the final session for the loss of 4 wickets.

After facing just one over from Daniel Vettori which cost no runs, the West Indian openers will return on Day 4 to try to retake the advantage.

It was a great day of Test cricket.

© 1999