Taylor ton has Kiwis in control

ROSS Taylor scored his 17th test century to equal the New Zealand record yesterday and to put his team in control of the second cricket test against the West Indies.

Taylor made an unbeaten 107 to join current captain Kane Williamson and Martin Crowe on the record before New Zealand declared at 291-8, setting the West Indies an unlikely victory target of 444 with two days remaining.

The West Indies, who will have to beat their world record for the highest winning fourth innings score in test cricket – currently 418 against Australia in 2003 – were 30-2 at stumps.

Opener Keiran Powell was out for a duck to complete a pair for the match and Shimron Hetmyer fell for 15, seven minutes before stumps on day three. Captain Kraigg Brathwaite was 13 not out and Shai Hope was on 1, and the West Indies still trailed New Zealand by 414 runs.

Taylor kept up his close competition with Williamson to become the first New Zealander to score 18 test centuries when he reached his hundred.