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New Zealand hold the aces

Williamson completed his 7th test century and Neesham's fifty helped NZ built a healthy lead of 236 over WI.

Williamson has been the anchor for New Zealand in this series after hundred in first Test, fifty in second and another hundred in third. (Source: AP)

Kane Williamson completed his seventh test century on Sunday as New Zealand built a healthy lead of 236 over the West Indies on the fourth day of the third and final test.

The Black Caps, trailing by 24 after the first innings, stretched its overnight 123-3 at Kensington Oval to 260-5 by lunch. The 23-year-old Williamson, resuming on 58, was unbeaten on 121 at the interval. The right-hander struck 16 boundaries off 209 balls in five hours for his second century of the series.

Left-hander Jimmy Neesham contributed a typically attacking 51 off 67 balls. Kemar Roach and Jason Holder each took one wicket during the morning session. Roach had figures of 3-46 while Jason Holder claimed 2-26. Roach struck early for the home team, trapping New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum lbw for 25 inside the first 15 minutes at 135-4. But Williamson and Neesham shared a stand of 91 for the fifth wicket to dull West Indies’ attack. Williamson, in a rich vein of form, passed three figures with a square cut off his 173rd delivery but soon lost his partner.

Neesham slammed three fours and four sixes before he fell to the ball immediately after bringing up his own landmark. The left-hander drove Holder straight to Kraigg Brathwaite at short extra cover.

But the West Indies were further frustrated as Williamson found another useful ally in B.J. Watling, with the pair adding 34 before the break.

Scores: New Zealand (First Innings) 293 (Jimmy Neesham 78, Sulieman Benn 5-93, Kemar Roach 4-61); West Indies 317 (Kraigg Brathwaite 68, Neil Wagner 4-64); New Zealand (Second Innings) 260-5 (Kane Williamson 121 not out, Kemar Roach 3-46, Jason Holder 2-26.

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