The late wicket of Marlon Samuels has kept New Zealand's slim chances of a win in the second test alive.

Samuels was well caught by Ross Taylor at first slip off the bowling of Doug Bracewell with six overs to go on day three of the second test, but the home side remain on top.

The West Indies this morning reached stumps at 135-4, just 71 runs away from victory and a 2-0 series sweep.

The win would also lift the West Indies above New Zealand on the ICC test rankings, leaving the Kiwi side in eighth ahead of only Bangladesh.

New Zealand, however, have history on their side at Jamaica's Sabina Park.

If the West Indies get up, it will be the highest successful fourth innings run chase in nine years and the second best ever in Jamaica.

New Zealand started the fourth innings well when Trent Boult dismissed  dangerman Chris Gayle in the third over lbw.

Tim Southee then trapped Gayle's opening partner Kieran Powell five balls later and New Zealand were right on top.

At that stage the home side were 20-2, still 186 from their winning target of 206.

But Assad Fudadin (27) and Samuels (52) added 74 for the third wicket to wrestle back the momentum.

Fudadin eventually stumbled off a ball from Neil Wagner giving the Kiwis reward for bowling a much tighter, strangling line to the West Indies batsmen.

Samuels again looked at ease on his home wicket. He scored 123 of the West Indies' 209 first innings runs, but the Black Caps did miss an early chance that could prove costly.

The ball flew from Samuels' bat to BJ Watling at gully, but Watling grassed it and Samuels scored a further 32 runs before Bracewell picked him up.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul will resume tomorrow on 20no. He will be joined by nightwatchman Kemar Roach on 10no.

Earlier, the New Zealanders had capitulated - again - to be all out for 154 in their second innings.

New Zealand started the day at 59-2, but in a stagnant first session, lost five wickets for just 50 runs.

Openers Watling (11) and Martin Guptill (42) had put on 55 for the first wicket yesterday, but New Zealand's collapse over day two and three resulted in all 10 wickets falling for just 99 runs.

Dean Brownlie, who has struggled throughout the Caribbean tour, was the best today with 35 before he was dismissed late in New Zealand's innings.

The Black Caps strangely opted to play without a spinner after Daniel Vettori was ruled out through injury, but were then forced to watch as spin contributed to seven of their own second innings wickets.

Guyanese part-timer Narsingh Deonarine was the chief destroyer for the Windies, taking 4-37 while Sunil Narine continued to trouble the tail end and finished with 3-19.

Nightwatchman Wagner was the first to go today. His 45-ball innings was ended when he was bounced out by Tino Best.

Best was then gifted a second wicket when Taylor wafted softly at just his second ball to nick out for a duck.

Brendon McCullum was then undone by a spinning ball from Deonarine and Kane Williamson edged a half volley from Deonarine to first slip. Kruger van Wyk was out next, sweeping the ball to Chanderpaul at deep square.

Brownlie and Bracewell (14) added 37 for the eighth wicket before Bracewell too was caught at short leg defending.

- © Fairfax NZ News