A draw would be a commendable outcome for New Zealand, heading into the final day of the first test against the West Indies, at Antigua.

The Black Caps are effectively 28 for three, after going to stumps on day four at 199 for three in their second innings. Again batsmen got set but, sadly, couldn't go on and post a big hundred.

Martin Guptill made 67, to go with his first innings of 97, while Brendon McCullum perished for 84, with stumps in sight.

His wicket might prove pivotal for the West Indies, who amassed a first innings lead of 171 having been bowled out for 522.

They'd started day four on 442 for six, with a total in excess of 600 looking in the offing.

Restricting them to 522 represented a decent bowling effort from the Black Caps, who've largely struggled to gain great assistance from the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium pitch.

Chris Martin finished with three wickets, Doug Bracewell and Kane Williamson two and there was a scalp apiece for Daniel Vettori and Neil Wagner.

Daniel Flynn and Guptill put on 47 for the first wicket before the former was trapped in front by spinner Sunil Narine. Guptill and McCullum then added a stylish second-wicket partnership of 23.

They pair rode their luck a bit, but generally looked comfortable.

Guptill's 151-ball, 197-minute hand came to an end when he gloved a bouncing Narine delivery into the waiting hands of Assad Fudadin at short leg.

Ross Taylor came in and would no doubt have planned for he and McCullum to still be there at the close of play.

Unfortunately McCullum soon chopped a relatively harmless Kemar Roach delivery onto his stumps, which prompted the arrival of nightwatchman Neil Wagner.

The net result is that New Zealand basically have to bat for the entire last day, or close to it, to earn themselves a draw.

Recent history, if nothing else, is with them, given they did just that in their the last test of the New Zealand summer.

With Williamson making an unbeaten 102, the Black Caps were able to defy South Africa for 80-odd overs and secure a memorable draw at the Basin Reserve back in March.

- © Fairfax NZ News