PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad (CMC):

Opener Kraigg Brathwaite hit his maiden Test hundred and Darren Bravo his sixth, as West Indies dominated the second day of the second Test against New Zealand here yesterday.

At the close, the Caribbean side was 310 for five, in reply to New Zealand's first-innings total of 221, a lead of 89 runs heading into today's critical third day at Queen's Park Oval.

Brathwaite fell late in the day for 129 while Bravo scored a characteristically shot-filled 109, his first century on Caribbean soil and appropriately coming before his home crowd.

The pair put on 182 for the second wicket, a partnership that deflated the Black Caps and forced them to toil without success throughout most of the evening session on another flat surface.

Brathwaite, who replaced the out-of-form Kieran Powell for this Test, faced 258 deliveries in an innings lasting six hours and 11 minutes, and which included 13 fours. Bravo, meanwhile, struck 11 fours and four sixes in a knock spanning 190 minutes and 155 balls.

nightwatchman

Veteran left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul was there at the close on four, partnered by nightwatchman Kemar Roach, who was yet to score.

Left-arm seamer Trent Boult has been the best bowler with two for 30, but fast bowler Tim Southee and off-spinner Mark Craig failed to repeat their success of the opening Test in Kingston last week and proved ineffective.

Resuming the day tenuously placed at six for one, West Indies were in early trouble when nightwatchman Sulieman Benn missed a swish at Southee and was bowled for four in the fifth over of the morning.

Languishing at 16 for two, West Indies found solace in a 93-run, third-wicket stand between Brathwaite and fellow Barbadian Kirk Edwards, who got 55.

The right-handed Edwards faced 64 balls and struck seven fours and three sixes, taking the attack to the New Zealand bowlers as defensive-minded Brathwaite provided the perfect foil.