Benn, Roach skittle Black Caps on Day 1

BRIDGETOWN, Barbados, CMC – Sulieman Benn’s fourth career five-wicket haul rattled New Zealand and gave West Indies the edge, on the opening day of the decisive third Test here Thursday.

The beanpole six-foot, seven-inch left-arm spinner claimed five for 93 as the Black Caps, winning the toss and batting first, were dismissed for 293, 14 minutes before the scheduled close at Kensington Oval.

Left with seven overs to negotiate, West Indies reached the safety of close without incident, with talismanic opener Chris Gayle unbeaten on 18 and rookie Kraigg Brathwaite on 11.

Using the Oval’s 50th Test match as his stage, Barbadian Benn chose an ideal time to produce his best performance of the tour, with the series on a knife’s edge at 1-1.