NZ romped to a 204-run victory over the WI in the first Test

Bridgetown, June 24: New Zealand romped to a 204-run victory over the West Indies in the first Test inside four days on Monday, the first time they have ever won a Test in the Caribbean.

Set a massive 474 to win, the West Indies collapsed in the final session as New Zealand's mixture of pace and spin and flawless fielding strangled the life out of a jaded and impetuous West Indies team.

The West Indies were bowled out for 269, with pace bowler Shane Bond taking five for 79 as well as two he took in the first innings, when West Indies collapsed to 107 all out in response to New Zealand's first innings score of 337.

Only Brian Lara, with a classy 73, and opener Chris Gayle could discipline themselves to avoid offering their wickets to New Zealand.

After a series victory over England and an interrupted tour of Pakistan, when a bomb exploded outside the team hotel in Karachi, New Zealand are guaranteed a tie in the two-match series, which continues on Thursday in Grenada.

New Zealand scored 243 in their second innings, despite a fine bowling performance from left armer Pedro Collins, with 6 for 76, setting the West Indies what would have been a world record score if they reached the target.

Strike bowler Merv Dillon only bowled six overs in the second innings after aggravating a lower back injury, leaving a vulnerable-looking West Indies bowling attack that included Darren Powell, flown back from the A' tour of England two days before the start of the match to make his full debut.

Resuming at four for one on Monday, openers Gayle and Wavell Hinds refused to be cowed, hitting several uppish shots but scoring quickly, reaching 68 before Hinds became Vettori's first victim of the day, offering a simple catch to short leg as the left-arm spinner found bounce as well as spin.

The small crowd of around 2,000 at the Kensington Oval were encouraged when their team went to lunch at 107 for one, but three wickets fell in the afternoon session as the West Indies continued their penchant for sloppy shots.

Ramnaresh Sarwan, whose usual cultured style has abandoned him in Barbados, once again fell victim to a short ball from Shane Bond, misguidedly looking to pull and only succeeding in lobbing a simple catch to Vettori after scoring 18.

In the first innings he tried the same shot from his first delivery and was caught.

Gayle was next to go after a brave innings of 73 from 131 balls that included 12 fours, all of which clattered the boundary fences. Gayle stood little chance against a fast Bond delivery that clattered into his pads and he was given out by umpire Rudi Koetzen.

Captain Carl Hooper wafted casually at a wayward Daryl Tuffey delivery in the 59th over and was caught by New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming at first slip.

West Indies trudged in to tea on 201 for four with the last two recognised batsmen Lara and Shivnarine Chanderpaul at the crease.

Chanderpaul has bested most bowlers he has faced over the past year but could not keep his patience against Vettori's inviting, looping deliveries.

The left hander charged Vettori successfully once but then caught an edge and presented Fleming with another simple chance having scored 17.

At 204 for five, the game looked up for the West Indies and this was confirmed 12 runs later when wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs, objecting to close fielders, took a wild swing and Nathan Astle took a dramatic diving catch at deep midwicket.

Debutant Darren Powell lasted just 10 balls before edging an Ian Butler delivery to Astle at second slip.

Lara moved smoothly on to his 50, showing his teammates how to play Vettori, showing the spinner respect but punishing any loose deliveries as he tried to protect the tail enders. One straight six over Vettori's head brought a rare cheer from the Barbadian crowd.

Lara eventually fell to a slower ball from Shane Bond and Dillon was out to the very next ball, ending the match. Fleming was elected man of the match.