Ill-disciplined bowling and a rampant Chris Gayle proved a punishing combination for New Zealand as they stumbled to a 55-run loss in the second one-day cricket international against the West Indies in Jamaica on Sunday (NZT).

Chasing a mammoth 315 after winning the toss, New Zealand were all out for 260 after 47 overs at Sabina Park.

It was an improved batting performance from the first ODI at the same ground two days ago, when the Black Caps were all out for 190 on their way to a nine-wicket loss.

Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill knocked out half centuries, while BJ Watling – who hit 60 on Friday – again impressed with an unbeaten 72 off 62 balls.

But the Black Caps’ batting line-up was put under huge pressure after a sub-par bowling effort.

Although Windies opener Lendl Simmons again fell cheaply, scrabbling three off 17, Gayle and Maron Samuels feasted off some listless New Zealand bowling with two well-constructed centuries.

Gayle mixed patience with a stunning array of power hitting, blasting nine sixes and eight fours in his 107-ball 125 before drilling veteran pace bowler Kyle Mills straight to Tom Latham at deep midwicket in the 38th over.

Samuels’ unbeaten 101 was well paced, coming off 103 balls and underlining the West Indian dominance of a New Zealand bowling attack which lacked direction and discipline.

Tim Southee was the best, picking up 3-55 off his 10 overs, but overall the New Zealand bowlers gifted the West Indies 20 extras including 15 wides.

In reply, it took just six overs for New Zealand’s first wicket to fall – a careless swat from Rob Nicol found the recently relocated Darren Sammy at midwicket to give Ravi Rampaul the first of his three wickets.

Guptill’s 51 and Williamson’s 58 showed more backbone from the New Zealand batting line-up, but they were the only innings of note apart from Watling’s heroics.

New Zealand will be looking for further improvement in the third ODI in St Kitts on Thursday.