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AUCKLAND, March 12 (AFP): A devastating three-wicket spell by Shane Bond put New Zealand on the brink of an unlikely Test victory here Sunday as the West Indies squandered a 148-run opening partnership.
At the close of play they had been reduced to 246 for eight, still needing a further 45 runs from tailenders and with the new ball available when play resumes Monday.
West Indies openers Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga saw off the cream of the bowling and cruised to within 131 runs of the 291-run target, forcing Fleming to turn to part-time bowler Nathan Astle.
Astle's first ball was dispatched to the boundary, but with the second he had Gayle caught by Fleming for 82 to start the batting collapse.
Bond came back and hit Ramnaresh Sarwan on the helmet, forcing him from the field. He followed immediately by bowling Brian Lara first ball to complete a disastrous welcome to New Zealand for the master batsman.
In the first innings, Bond had Lara caught first ball.
Captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul reached 15 before he failed to get a blistering cover drive off Daniel Vettori over the outstretched arm of the two- metre-plus Peter Fulton. Ganga played his way to 95 before being deceived by an Astle inswinger and edging to Jamie How in the gully.
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