Henry Nicholls battled to his sixth Test century and provided the backbone for a New Zealand middle order fightback as his side reached 294 for six at the end of a torrid first day of the second Test against the West Indies here on Friday.

The 29-year-old left-hander was on 117 with Kyle Jamieson on one at stumps at the Basin Reserve.

Nicholls had not passed 50 in 13 Test innings since scoring 107 against Bangladesh at the same ground in March 2019 and rode his luck on a pitch that offered the West Indies bowlers’ assistance all day.

He was dropped thrice, twice at first slip, and took several deliveries on the body from the visitors’ pace attack but shared a 70-run partnership with Will Young (43), 55 runs with BJ Watling (30) and 83 with Daryl Mitchell (42).

West Indies captain Jason Holder opted to field on a heavily-grassed wicket that had been under covers all week. Shannon Gabriel provided a horror opening for the tourists, who need a victory to level the two-match series.