An unbroken century partnership for the fourth wicket by Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo have put West Indies in control at 209 for three in reply to New Zealand’s first innings total of 221 at tea.

The second day of the second Test, which was hit by a brief rain delay, is being played at the Queen’s Park Oval in Trinidad.

With 36 overs scheduled to be bowled in the final session of the day, Brathwaite (85 not out) and Bravo (58 not out) will be pursuing individual milestones while seeking to build a potentially match-winning advantage.

New Zealand’s bowlers toiled in vain throughout Tuesday afternoon, a one-hour break for a heavy shower failing to negatively affect the concentration of the two batsmen.

The came together when Kirk Edwards was dismissed for an attacking 55, a few minutes before the lunch interval.

Curiously, Brendon McCullum continued with the sparing use of Ish Sodhi, even though it was the leg-spinner who accounted for Edwards’ wicket in the first over he bowled in the day.

Probably influenced by the overhead conditions and some moisture on the outfield, Sodhi bowled just another six overs in the post-lunch play, the New Zealand captain relying instead on his three seamers and frontline off-spinner Mark Craig for the bulk of the bowling.

Brathwaite’s four-and-a-half hours at the crease so far has been defined by his trademark watchful defiance while Bravo, as is his wont, was more inclined to flamboyant strokeplay, giving the few fans at the ground something to cheer about on the field.

Craig, the match-winning off-spinner a week earlier in the first Test in Jamaica, came in for some rough treatment, conceding 43 runs off his first seven overs.

Medium-pacer Jimmy Neesham also took some punishment, being carted for 28 runs off four overs in the morning.