Flynn sets New Zealand on their way

Daniel Flynn cuts en route to 95 against West Indies at the Univerity Oval in Dunedin

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Half-centuries from Daniel Flynn and Jesse Ryder helped New Zealand to a solid 226 for four when bad light ended play on the opening day of the first Test against West Indies in Dunedin.

Flynn, batting at number three for the first time in his Test career, fell just five short of a maiden Test century when he was trapped leg before, but only after a confident West Indies captain Chris Gayle challenged the original decision of umpire Amish Saheba under the review system being trialled in this matcj.

Television umpire Rudi Koertzen decided the ball would have hit the stumps and a disconsolate Flynn trudged back to the pavilion as Gayle claimed his third wicket to leave the Black Caps on 189 for four shortly after tea.

It was the last wicket to fall as Ryder and Brendon McCullum combined to put on another 37, with Ryder bringing up his second Test half-century and ending the day unbeaten on 54. McCullum was four not out when the batsman accepted the offer of bad light.

It was a timely knock by Flynn, who easily surpassed his previous best score of 49. He brought up his first Test fifty, which included six boundaries, with a single off Gayle in the third over after the lunch break and by the time he walked off just after tea he had struck a further six fours in his 187-ball innings.

More importantly he and debutant Tim McIntosh showed plenty of grit and stickability, something demanded by new coach Andy Moles and which had been lacking in the New Zealand top order in previous innings.

The day did not start well for the hosts, though, who were forced to bring in bowler Kyle Mills when all-rounder Jacob Oram withdrew with a calf strain prior to the start of play.

While captain Daniel Vettori won the toss and chose to bat in cool but sunny conditions, Flynn and McIntosh were forced to rebuild the innings after Jamie How departed for 10, caught by Shivnarine Chanderpaul at point off Daren Powell in the sixth over.

Jesse Ryder helps the Black Caps finish day one of the first Test in a strong position, on his way to 54

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While McIntosh took around 45 minutes and 38 balls to get off the mark in what was a torrid introduction to international cricket, Flynn was quickly into his work and by lunch was just two shy of his maiden Test fifty as New Zealand reached 88 for one.

The 87-run partnership was finally broken when McIntosh fell for 34 playing a rash shot over the top to give Lionel Baker, on debut, a comfortable catch and Gayle his first scalp.

The openers departure brought Ross Taylor to the crease but his stay lasted less than 10 overs as he threw his wicket away when he skied a ball to Xavier Marshall.

But Ryder and Flynn steadied the ship again and by tea New Zealand were 180 for three with Flynn in the 90s and Ryder on 22.

After Flynn’s dismissal, Ryder took charge bringing up his second Test half-century with a sweetly timed four, his 52 including seven boundaries and coming in just 87 balls.

It was tough day for the West Indies bowlers with Fidel Edwards particularly expensive, going for 46 runs from 11 overs without taking a wicket.

Skipper Gayle was by far the best with 3-42 off 20, while Powell chipped in with 1-33 off 13.2, including five maidens, and Baker struggled towards the end of the day as his figures blew out to 0-61 off 17.