New Zealand’s batting woes returned to haunt them as the second Test in Kingston all but slipped out of their grasp after they crumbled to 154 all out in their second innings on Sunday (NZT), setting the West Indies an achievable 206 to win.

At tea on the third day, the West Indies rebuilt to 2-56 in reply after New Zealand’s seam attack struck early to remove openers Chris Gayle and Kieron Powell cheaply.

The Black Caps had resumed on 2-59, but were in deep trouble by lunch at 7-109, and the West Indies wasted little time in mopping up the tail.

Spinner Sunil Narine removed Doug Bracewell (14) and Dean Brownlie (35) to complete a three-wicket haul, but the main damage was done earlier by part-time offspinner Narsingh Deonarine’s 4-37.

In tandem with pace man Tino Best (2-44), Deonarine ripped through the middle order, the Kiwis losing 4-39 as they stumbled to 6-98.

Despite losing the early wickets of Powell and Gayle for six and eight respectively, the West Indies looked in control at tea with Assad Fudadin on 16 and first innings century-maker Marlon Samuels on 20.

New Zealand’s batsmen had struggled on the first day, all out for 260 after the West Indies won the toss. But their seamers responded on the second day, bowling with accuracy and discipline to dispatch the Windies for 209 on Saturday, with Samuels’ 123 holding the innings together.