Auckland, March 9:

Scott Styris starred for New Zealand on Thursday, backing up an unbeaten century with two wickets in three balls to even the honours on the opening day of the first Test against the West Indies. Styris joined Nathan Astle to pull New Zealand out of the mire when they were four for 69 and helped them to a respectable 275.

Then, when the West Indies were 47 without loss, it was Styris who joined Chris Martin in a lethal nine-ball spell which saw three wickets fall for just three runs. At stumps the West Indies were 51/3 with Ramnaresh Sarwan on three and Brian Lara yet to score.

New Zealand’s experimental novice top order failed, and captain Stephen Fleming could do no better as the hosts slid to 69/4. The innings was salvaged by 103 not out from Styris and 51 from Astle. Dwayne Smith (3-71) and Bradshaw (3-73) shared the bowling honours for the West Indies.