BLACKCAPS make solid start

Opener Tim McIntosh made a sound start to his test cricket career today, batting the BLACKCAPS into a solid position at lunch on day one against the West Indies at University Oval in Dunedin.

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At the end of the first session the BLACKCAPS were 88 for one, after McIntosh and Daniel Flynn compensated for the early departure of Jamie How to add 78 for the second wicket. McIntosh had reached a patient 28 and Flynn 48.

How's lean trot continued when a loose drive was snared by Shivnarine Chanderpaul at point when the opener had scored 10 at a run a ball, including two boundaries through the legside off the second over of the morning.

How was eager to play his shots after his captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and elected to bat first in clear but blustery conditions.

However, left-hander McIntosh was the antithesis -- patiently waiting 38 deliveries before registering his first test runs.

Ironically it was a rare loose stroke that enabled McIntosh to get off the mark in the 11th over, an edged drive off Fidel Edwards over the outstretched hands of fellow debutant Brendan Nash in the gully..

McIntosh reverted to type after that indiscretion, and was content to allow Flynn to dominate their stand, including six fours.

Flynn, batting at first drop for the first time in his eight-test career -- needs two more runs to record his maiden test fifty.

The West Indies opted for a four-pronged pace attack but derived little assistance from a pitch expected to play easier as the match continues.

The West Indies' second debutant, right arm quick Lionel Baker, was the tightest of the quartet, conceding just 15 from his first six overs in test cricket.

Powell exacted revenge after How had peeled a brace of boundaries off his first over while Jerome Taylor was also economical, with none for 18 off eight overs.

The BLACKCAPS suffered a setback before the toss when allrounder Jacob Oram withdrew with a calf injury.

He was replaced by fast bowler Kyle Mills.

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