Napier: West Indies were 278 for seven in their second innings, leading New Zealand by 214 runs at stumps on the fourth day of the second and final Test on Monday. Chris Gayle was not out 146 while Brendan Nash made 65. Jeetan Patel has taken three for 83.

The captain Chris Gayle scored his first hundred in three years as West Indies meandered to a 214-run lead with a day to play in the deciding Test of the series. Gayle mixed flamboyance with patience in his 146 not out from 325 balls, which included 13 fours and six sixes, as the visitors finished at 278 for 7, a total which keeps both teams in with a chance.

Brendan Nash was alongside Gayle at the crease on 60 after the pair batted through the afternoon session. Gayle's century was his eighth in test cricket, but his first since he scored 317 against South Africa in April 2005.

New Zealand felt in with a chance to end the West Indies innings before the final day when they had the tourists at 106 for four. But they were thwarted by a valuable 124-run stand for the fifth wicket by Gayle and Australian-born Brendan Nash.

With no Shivnarine Chanderpaul to rely on after the world's most prolific batsman in the past two years fell on the first ball, Gayle and Nash dug in to bring the West Indies back into the Test. Gayle started in fiery form, but became more watchful as his century neared, spending 15 overs in the 90s.

Reports by session
1st Session: Runs 84, Wkt 2, Ovr 35
2nd Session: Runs 78, Wkt 0, Ovr 33
3rd Session: Runs 54, Wkt 3, Ovr 29

Brief Score: West Indies 307 and 278 for 7 (Gayle 146*, Nash 65, Patel 3-83) lead New Zealand 371 by 214 runs.
Full Scoreboard