West Indies on brink of victory

PORT-OF-SPAIN, Trinidad (AP):

The West Indies bowlers produced a spirited performance to put a series-levelling victory in sight against New Zealand after four days of the second cricket Test yesterday.

The Black Caps, facing a first-innings deficit of 239, reached 257-8 in their second innings, leading by 18 with two wickets in hand.

Kemar Roach toiled manfully on a placid Queen's Park Oval pitch to claim 3-53 while fellow pacer Jerome Taylor took 2-46. Left-arm spinner Sulieman Benn grabbed 2-62 from a marathon 49 overs, and claimed a sensational return catch.

Kane Williamson top-scored with 52, while BJ Watling provided a defiant, unbeaten 36 in 41/2 hours at the crease.