I played with positive intent and it came off Stephen Fleming More close of play reaction

New Zealand reached 335-7 at stumps on day two of the second Test against West Indies in reply to the tourists' modest effort of 192 in Wellington.

Stephen Fleming's 97 led the hosts away from a potential crisis when they lost their first two wickets for three runs.

Peter Fulton (75) and Nathan Astle (65 not out) also made good contributions.

The Windies had begun the day on 182-8, and added just 10 runs to that score, with James Franklin finishing with 5-53 and Kyle Mills returning 3-53.

Fleming and Fulton put on 165 for the third wicket at an important stage for the Kiwis who lost both openers within the first 13 deliveries of their innings.

Hamish Marshall was caught for three off the final ball of Ian Bradshaw's opening over, and Jamie How was bowled for a duck by the first delivery of the next from Fidel Edwards.

But the mini-crisis was averted with some positive strokeplay from Fleming, who reached his half century off 50 balls with a six and seven fours after being dropped at fine leg on 47.

Fidel Edwards made a mess of Jamie How's stumps

Fulton took longer to find his rhythm in only his second Test appearance, but struck three sixes as his confidence increased, although he also had a let-off when Edwards let a relatively straightforward chance go through his hands.

Fielding problems continued for West Indies when Runako Morton failed to hang onto a diving chance at slip with Fleming on 81.

But the New Zealand skipper finally departed when Dwayne Bravo held on at third man to give Edwards his second success of the day.

Fulton was next to go when he edged a ball from Daren Powell to the keeper and when the paceman also picked up the wickets of Scott Styris (eight) and Brendon McCullum (23) the home side were struggling on 246-6.

Nathan Astle and Daniel Vettori halted the slide by adding 86 for the seventh wicket before Edwards had Vettori caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul for 42.

But Astle, batting in more restrained fashion than normal, survived to the close on 65 not out, with the Kiwis 143 runs to the good.