Ross Taylor smashed a maiden double century against the West Indies today as New Zealand racked up an imposing 609-9 declared, taking a vice-like grip on the first Test in Dunedin.
The tourists made a shaky start to their reply, reduced to 24-2 before recovering to reach 67 without further loss by the close but they face a monumental task to avoid defeat.
Taylor, who a year ago was in the doldrums when dumped as New Zealand captain, proved that disappointment was well behind him as became only the 13th New Zealander to reach 200 in a Test innings.
Along the way he shared in a 195-run partnership with replacement skipper Brendon McCullum -- a record fourth-wicket stand for New Zealand against the West Indies.
Taylor was at the crease for more than eight hours, faced 319 balls and hit 23 boundaries without risking a lofted shot.
Four of those boundaries came in one over from Shannon Gabriel as the workload told on the West Indies quicks after a leg muscle strain forced Darren Sammy out of the attack.
Throughout his marathon innings, Taylor offered only one sharp chance when he was dropped on 131 by c at short leg off spinner Shane Shillingford.
After New Zealand resumed the day at 367-3, the West Indies made early inroads with the removal of McCullum for 113 and Corey Anderson without scoring.
BJ Watling (41) restored order with Taylor in an 84-run stand for the sixth wicket before the West Indies engineered a second mini breakthrough.
