New Zealand’s push for an innings victory over the West Indies in the first Test was stalled on the third day by a bold, counter-attacking partnership for the seventh wicket between Jermaine Blackwood (80 batting) and Alzarri Joseph (batting on 59).

New Zealand seemed to be coasting to a win within three days when captain Kane Williamson enforced the follow-on with a 381-run lead following the dismissal of the West Indies for 138 in their first innings after the Black Caps finished at 519/7 declared.

When the West Indies were reduced to 30/4 at tea and then 89/6 in their second innings, it seemed they were fated to become only the fifth team in Test history to be dismissed twice in a day. Their position became direr because ’keeper Shane Dowrich could not bat because of a broken finger.

For New Zealand, senior pacer Tim Southee starred in the first innings, taking four wickets, while Kyle Jamieson and Neil Wagner picked up two each.

Emphasising that his team made better use of the conditions, Southee said that greater swing with the older ball and the westerly breeze at Seddon Park had an effect.

“It tends to swing a lot here, so being a swing bowler, that’s obviously nice. We know when we are able to swing it, we are deadly,” Southee said after the day’s play. “We assessed the conditions and we weren’t far off from where we wanted to be. We knew where we had to be for longer periods of time, and managed to get a couple (of wickets) early and get the ball rolling.”

Southee also lauded Jamieson for his efforts. “Kyle has been a great addition at the back end of last summer, and he has shown again here with both bat and ball. So he has been a great asset to the side,” he said.