New Zealand rules the opening day – 1st Test vs. West Indies

New Zealand 3-367 (Brendon McCullum 109*, Ross Taylor 103*, Hamish Rutherford 62, Peter Fulton 61, Tino Best 1-87) vs. West Indies

Ross Taylor and his skipper, Brendon McCullum, blasted tons in the first innings of the 1st Test and put their side on top against the visiting West Indies.

The Black Caps hammered 367 runs in 90 overs for the loss of three mere wickets in their first innings.

The opening Test of the three match series commenced on Tuesday, December 3, 2013, at University Oval, Dunedin.

Earlier, Darren Sammy won the toss for the Windies and opted to field first on a grassy surface. Peter Fulton along with Hamish Rutherford provided a rising start to their team by scoring 43 runs in 10 overs. Rutherford was playing his shots at will, reached his fifty on 60 balls and carried on with his natural game. He was gone after contributing 62 as the score touched 95 and was replaced by Aaron Redmond who departed after scoring 20.

Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor - Commanding tons
Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor – Commanding tons

Ross Taylor walked in next and Fulton attained his fifth Test half century next. The second wicket fell at 185 when the latter was dismissed for 61 as Brendon McCullum appeared in the park. Taylor went past his half century in the process whereas his partner kept on cruising at the other end. The run rate was speeded up by the duo while McCullum crossed the 50 runs mark in the 71st over. Both batsmen reached at 94 each after the end of the 83rd overs and Brendon McCullum smashed his seventh Test hundred in the process.

Ross Taylor followed his captain, thrashed his 9th Test century and remained unbeaten for 103 off 157 balls with 13 fours. McCullum was batting at 109 from 122 comprising 2 lofty sixes and 14 fours as the Kiwis piled up 3-367 at stumps on day one.

Tino Best, Darren Sammy and Shane Shillingford were the only successful bowlers with one wicket each.

The top order batsmen of New Zealand have put their side in a commanding position and they will anticipate a mammoth total in the first innings.


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