Chris Gayle signals for his lbw appeal against Daniel Flynn to be reviewed

The reign of New Zealand coach Andy Moles got off to a solid start as his side ended the opening day of the first Test against West Indies on 226-4.

Daniel Flynn and Jesse Ryder both hit half-centuries, with Flynn falling five runs short of a maiden Test century.

He was out leg before after captain Chris Gayle challenged umpire Amish Saheba's ruling not to dismiss him under the new review system.

Ryder remained unbeaten on 54 before bad light stopped play.

The two-Test series is only the second to use the umpire referral system, which allows batting and bowling sides to submit contentious decisions to the television umpire for review.

After Gayle's appeals for lbw were turned down by Saheba, the West Indies skipper called for a second opinion and Rudi Koertzen decided the ball would have hit the wicket after watching TV replays, ending Flynn's resistance on 95.

"I thought I was hit outside the line but once I looked at it again, I've seen it's hit me in line," said Flynn, 23. "You can't really argue with it, can you?

"To make a contribution like I did, I'm happy. I'm obviously disappointed not to have kicked on but it's a great opportunity to fill that spot at number three to make it my own."

Coming off the back of a 2-0 series defeat by Australia, New Zealand - who unveiled Moles as their new coach in November - were keen to prove themselves.

However, Flynn and debutant Tim McIntosh had to rebuild after the Black Caps lost Jamie How early on when he was caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul at point off Daren Powell.

606: DEBATE Flynn at three is better since he is much better technically. nm2878

Opener McIntosh took 38 balls to get off the mark but once at the crease Flynn wasted little time in getting into his stride and by lunch he was two short of a half-century.

Gayle brought the 87-run partnership to an end when McIntosh attempted a rash shot and was caught by debutant Lionel Baker.

Ross Taylor fell cheaply as he skied another Gayle delivery to Xavier Marshall, leaving the hosts on 128-3.

However, with Ryder at the crease New Zealand reached 180-3 and after Flynn's dismissal, he took charge, bringing up his half-century with a boundary.

Despite Gayle's 3-42, it was a frustrating opening day for the West Indies attack.

"It's a pretty decent batting wicket, the ball wasn't doing that much and the bowlers had to work hard," said Gayle.

The Jamaican offered a few words of sympathy for Flynn, despite having no qualms about using the referral system to his side's advantage.

"If I was the batsman, I'd be pretty disappointed. It's unfortunate he missed out on a hundred," Gayle added.

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