Dream start for rookie Black Cap
Rookie Black Caps offspinner Mark Craig still can't quite believe his dream start to international cricket after picking up four wickets on debut against the West Indies in Jamaica.
After declaring their first innings at 508-7, New Zealand bowled out the West Indies for 262 and opted not to enforce the follow-on.
But hopes of a rare overseas Test win were shaken by a challenging final hour on the third day at Sabina Park in Kingston, and the Black Caps finished the day 14-2 for an overall lead of 260.
Craig collected 4-91 to back up seamer Tim Southee's outstanding 4-19, picking up his first two wickets in three balls early in the 28th over.
He trapped Kieran Powell lbw for 28 his first ball, then removed Kirk Edwards two balls later after he edged a thick outside edge to Ross Taylor at first slip.
"It was nice to go bang-bang there - it was a bit of a dream start," Craig said afterwards.
"Timmy bowled exceptionally well, set the standard up front early for us and it was just nice to chip in with a couple myself."
Craig struck again after tea, finding an inside edge off Roach (4) which ballooned up to Peter Fulton at leg slip. His fourth came at the tail end of the innings, clean bowling Sulieman Benn for 17.
On a supposedly flat Sabina Park pitch, Southee was outstanding in collecting 4-19, including the invaluable wicket of opener Chris Gayle in his 100th Test for 64.
Southee found swing and variation in removing Marlon Samuels without scoring, and also broke a key 72-run sixth-wicket partnership when Denesh Ramdin edged a slower ball to keeper BJ Watling.
New Zealand's decision to bat again looked questionable early on as opener Peter Fulton, who made one in the first innings, edged an outswinger from Jerome Taylor to Ramdin without scoring.
Kane Williamson, who compiled a measured 113 in the first innings, added only two to the score before he shouldered arms and a full delivery from Kemar Roach clipped his off stump.
Nightwatchman Ish Sodhi ended the day on four not out with Tom Latham on eight.
But Craig says the Kiwis are still well-placed for the win.
"It's poised nicely - we need to get a few more runs and look to put the pressure back on them."
