Gayle celebrates the wicket of Daniel Vettori in Auckland

West Indies will require a further 243 on the penultimate day of the first Test in Auckland, after closing day three at 48-0 against New Zealand.

The Kiwis resumed at 98-4 but soon lost skipper Stephen Fleming, who added only 14 to his overnight score of 19.

Brendan McCullum launched some defiant lower order resistance with 74 but New Zealand succumbed for 272.

McCullum was one of Chris Gayle's four victims, and the Jamaican then hit five fours in an unbeaten 28 in reply.

Victory on Sunday would represent a welcome change in West Indian fortunes, the former kings of cricket having lost 13 of their last 15 Tests.

History is not in their favour either, with only one higher total made to win at Auckland than the 291 they are chasing, scored by the West Indies side of 1968/9.

The drop-in pitch in Auckland, which had produced a few demons on the opening two days, appeared to flatten out as the tourists began their reply.

Opener Daren Ganga, who made 20 from 59 balls, was delighted with his team's position.

"If someone told us at the start of the Test match that we had to score 240-odd with two days left, we would happily grab it," he enthused.

"The guys have worked hard and we're really pleased with the position we're in."

Gayle was on Friday evening cleared of a conduct charge by match referee Mike Procter.

The opener, on 23, appeared to spoon a delivery from Shane Bond off his glove to Jamie How in the gully.

As the New Zealand fielders went up in an appeal, Gayle rubbed his forearm as if to indicate that the ball had hit him there.