Despite an unbeaten 45 run partnership between BJ Watling and Mark Craig, West Indies inched closer to evening the two-match Test series at Port of Spain.
The hosts were looking for an innings victory over the Black Caps, but Watling (38 not out) and Craig (29 not out) put up stern resistance to avoid an innings defeat and put the visitors 18 runs ahead at stumps on the fourth day.
Windies pacers again did the damage as Kemar Roach picked up three wickets, while Jerome Taylor scalped two. Left-arm spinner Suleiman Benn picked up two and Shannon Gabriel chipped in with one wicket.
Opener Tom Latham (36) was the first to depart when he was caught at silly point by Kraigg Brathwaite off Benn. Roach ended Kane Williamson's (52) three-and-a-half hour vigil when he was caught behind by skipper Denesh Ramdin.
James Neesham (7) was the next to depart when Benn dismissed him with a fantastic low return catch.The Black Caps lost wickets at regularl intervals.
The Kiwis lost Ross Taylor (36), Hamish Rutherford (13), Ish Sodhi (14) and Tim Southee (15) in quick succession and the match looked to end on the fourth day itself.
"Obviously, there are some performances that, when we look back on, we are not entirely happy with but to bat a day like we did today, with BJ and Mark at the end, was fantastic," Williamson said. "For BJ to bat four-and-a-bit hours, was a huge effort in these conditions."
"We would have liked some big scores and sort of made the second innings our first innings but that wasn't to be," he added. "Hopefully, the two boys out there can kick on a bit tomorrow and they can either set up an awkward chase or bat on a bit longer and put us in a good position."
Windies coach Ottis Gibson praised Watling and Craig for putting up a fight in the crucial situation and added that his players have to be more creative in winning the longer format of the game.
"That's what Test cricket is all about," Gibson said. "That's what I have been preaching for a long time. Curtly Ambrose has come in and he's saying the same thing. That's why it's called Test cricket. It tests your character, your fitness levels, your skills."
"The way Watling and Craig played this evening meant that we needed to be a little more skilful," he added. "The guys got a little bit tired, you could see that. But we come back tomorrow, hopefully the rain stays away and we get the job done."
Where to Watch Live
The 2nd Test Day 4 is scheduled for a 10:00 am local (7:30 pm IST, 2:00 pm GMT) start with live coverage on Ten Cricket and Ten HD in India. The match can also be watched via live streaming online in India HERE. Catch the action live on TV on Sky Sports 2 in New Zealand, while viewers can also live stream the action HERE. Viewers in the US can watch the game on Willow TV while the action can also be live streamed HERE. Watch the match in Caribbean on Sports Max, while South Africa and Sub Saharan Africa viewers can view the match on SuperSport and live online HERE.
