Auckland, March 12:

A devastating three-wicket spell by Shane Bond put New Zealand on the brink of an unlikely win as the West Indies squandered a 148-run opening stand. At the close of play they had been reduced to 246/8, still needing 45 runs from tailenders.

Openers Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga appeared to have set their side up for the first overseas Test win in more than two years. Stephen Fleming dropped Gayle on 58 and Ganga was caught on 42 off a no-ball from Chris Martin. But the pair saw off the cream of the bowling and cruised to within 131 runs of the 291-run target, forcing Fleming to turn to Nathan Astle.

With the second ball, Astle (2-10) had Gayle caught by Fleming for 82 to start the collapse. Bond came back and hit Ramnaresh Sarwan on the helmet, forcing him off the field. He followed by bowling Brian Lara first ball.

The West Indies went to tea on 160/2 and still hoping to win the Test on fourth day. But two hours later and two overs before the close, they were thankful to be offered bad light. Ganga played his way to 95 before being deceived by an Astle inswinger.

With the West Indies on 211/4, Bond (4-66) returned with a spell of reverse swing that saw the dismissals of Dwayne Smith, Sarwan and Dwayne Bravo in successive overs.