Martin Guptill provided the backbone as New Zealand made a solid start to the first cricket Test against the West Indies in Antigua.

Guptill had reached a watchful 73 and the Black Caps were 2-159 at tea on the opening day after captain Ross Taylor won the toss.

Guptill and fellow opener Daniel Flynn negotiated a difficult opening session to carry the Black Caps to 0-71 at lunch.

An opening partnership of 97 was broken when Flynn spooned a catch to point when on 45, handing a first Test scalp to spinner Sunil Narine.

Brendon McCullum departed for a more aggressive 25, caught at mid-off from the bowling of Kemar Roach.

New Zealand, looking to bounce back from series losses in the preceding Twenty20 and one-day internationals, left out pace bowler Tim Southee and legspinner Tarun Nethula, while BJ Watling and Trent Boult also missed out through injury.

Left-arm seamer Neil Wagner was included for his debut.

The West Indies welcomed back fast bowler Roach and veteran batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.