Determined bowling and careless batting combined to give the West Indies the advantage in dismissing New Zealand for 221 on the opening day of the second Test at Queen's Park Oval on Monday.
Trailing in the three-match series after losing the first Test in Jamaica by 186 runs, the hosts will resume on the second morning at six for one after Trent Boult uprooted the off-stump of experienced opening batsman Chris Gayle during the seven overs the home side faced before the close.
Jerome Taylor's rehabilitation as a Test fast bowler took a few more strides forward, the Jamaican paceman claiming four for 34 to emerge with the best figures on a pitch that offered assistance to the bowlers.
However, the tourists' captain, Brendon McCullum, appeared fully justified in electing to bat first after winning the toss with the Black Caps cruising along at 120 for one early in the afternoon session.
Tom Latham compiled his third consecutive half-century of the series, the phlegmatic left-handed opener occupying the crease for almost four hours in getting to a top-score of 82.
And with the West Indies letting a number of chances and half-chances slip through their fingers during the first two sessions, New Zealand looked poised for another formidable first innings total.
But it never materialised and the luck eventually turned the West Indies' way as New Zealand lost nine wickets for 101 runs, the last six sliding for just 29 in an unexpected capitulation.
Former captain Ross Taylor, the prime beneficiary of the sloppy catching in a bizarre period of play just before tea when three opportunities were missed, finished unbeaten on 45 while Kane Williamson contributed 42 in a 104-run second-wicket partnership with Latham.
