Chris Gayle struck an unbeaten 85 and fellow opener Kieran Powell added 58 not out to power West Indies to 0-145 in reply to New Zealand’s 351 all out at stumps on day two of the first Test in Antigua.

The veteran Gayle, in his first Test since December 2010, cracked 12 fours and a six off 124 balls as he closed in on a 14th Test century at Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.

Fellow left-hander Powell’s third Test half century spanned 164 balls and included 10 boundaries.

Gayle was dropped at point by Daniel Flynn off Doug Bracewell on 36 and made the Black Caps pay with some majestic strokes all around the ground.

Powell, 10 years Gayle’s junior, was equally assured, his only real blemish being on 11, when he edged debutant seamer Neil Wagner just out of the reach of Martin Guptill at second slip.

Earlier, offspinner Sunil Narine claimed 5-132 as the Black Caps stretched their overnight total from 4-232 to 351.

Narine, who led the hosts with three wickets on day one, claimed the wicket of nightwatchman Wagner in the day’s third over and wrapped up his first five-wicket haul when he claimed Kruger van Wyk in the second session.

Pacers Ravi Rampaul ended with 2-44 and fellow pacer Kemar Roach took 2-55 to provide solid support.

Narine began the day well as Wagner (4) departed to a gully catch off the edge after 10 minutes.

Kane Williamson and Dean Brownlie shared a stand of 40 for the sixth wicket to rebuild for the visitors.