"I am a batsman who bowls," Styris said after hitting 107 in New Zealand's first inning total of 373 on Saturday in the second and final Test.

"This has to be the highlight of my career so far," he added.

"I think I am finally beginning to figure out how to play the longer version of the game.

"I am obviously very pleased. It's a dream of any batsman to score a hundred on debut. I'm no different. I'm just glad to be able to contribute to the team as well."

Styris was awarded his Test cap at a team meeting in the Pakistani city of Karachi in May hours before the game was abandoned following a powerful bomb explosion outside their hotel, killing 14 people.

He was selected for the one-day international squad to tour the Caribbean but not for the Test squad.

He admitted that his inclusion in the Test side for the second game was a surprise for him.

"I suppose I was a bit surprised because we had just won our first ever Test in the West Indies and they changed the team.

"It's not often that New Zealand change a winning team."

His performance in the one-dayers was enough to win him a place in the Test squad but he did not make it into the team for the Barbados Test, which New Zealand won resoundingly by 204 runs.

"Whilst I was hoping to make that spot I thought they didn't view me as a longer version player or they would have included me in the side," he said.

Rapid 85

In the second one-day match in St Lucia, Styris smashed 85 in 83 balls.

It was after his one-day show that coach Dennis Aberheart started working Styris harder than usual in practice and in the nets.

"Dennis started riding me hard and I began to wonder if something was up," he said.

After his Saturday's performance, Styris eyes on a permanent slot in the Kiwi squad.

"I would like to make the side at both versions of the game when we are at full strength and if I can keep putting the runs on the board and the wickets too, then hopefully I can do that," he said.