De Grandhomme flogs Windies around Basin

Dec 2, 2017 - 6:27 AM Colin de Grandhomme has bludgeoned his way to his first Test century and the second-fastest by a New Zealander to turn the screws on the West Indies in Wellington.

The burly right-hander's 105 flogged a tiring attack which had already been blunted by half centuries to Ross Taylor and Henry Nicholls.

It also put him amongst the top 10 fastest tons of all time.

At stumps on day two, New Zealand were 9-447, a lead of 313 runs. Debutant Tom Blundell was not out 57 and Trent Boult two.

De Grandhomme slapped 11 fours and three sixes to eclipse his previous best of 57 against South Africa in Hamilton earlier this year.

Brendon McCullum's 54-ball blitz against Australia remains the world record but de Grandhomme overtook McCullum's 74-ball knock against Sri Lanka.

He and Blundell put on a partnership of 148 for the seventh wicket which went at nearly six an over.

The 31-year-old was eventually caught near the boundary off part-time spinner Roston Chase.

After the day's play, de Grandhomme said he wasn't given any instructions but nevertheless flew out of the gate with two early boundaries.

"It was just to do what I do. The boys did the hard work at the beginning and made it a lot easier for me at the back end."

De Grandhomme revealed he had two new bats and was using one of them essentially for the first time.

"Today it felt pretty good, with the sticks I've got at the moment are good so I feel confident with them."

He paid tribute to Blundell's calmness and confidence in his first match.

"It made it a lot easier out there for me."

New Zealand had started the day at 85-2 in response to the West Indies' 134.

The only wicket to fall during Saturday's morning session was opener Jeet Raval (42). After lunch Taylor fell short of what would have been a record-equalling 17th Test century.

He was trapped lbw by Kemar Roach for 93 when the Windies successfully reviewed the initial not out call. During his innings Taylor passed 10,000 first class runs.

Left-hander Nicholls was caught in the deep for 67 and Mitchell Santner (17) was bowled soon afterwards. Neil Wagner and Matt Henry went cheaply later in the day.

Roach was best of the West Indies bowlers with 3-73, Miguel Cummins returned 2-74, Chase 2-83 and Holder 1-85.

Source: AAP