Nathan Astle continued his affinity with Eden Park and moved into third on the record list of one-day rungetters for New Zealand in its victory over the West Indies.
Astle, who top scored for New Zealand with 77 and, backed up with a handy spell of medium-pace deliveries which yielded just 37 runs from nine overs, was named man of the match.
The innings lifted Astle's tally of one-day runs for New Zealand to 3158, moving him ahead of skipper Stephen Fleming (3132) and Ken Rutherford (3143).
Ahead are John Wright (3891) and Martin Crowe (4704).
Astle was unaware of the statistic although was conscious that he often seemed to score freely at Auckland.
Astle's scoring sequence at the ground is 25, 35, 20no, 120, 4, 51, 20, 62, 100no, and 77.
"I seem to like the wicket here and have got away to some good starts."
Astle said he enjoyed batting with Canterbury team-mate Chris Cairns, who six times sent the ball soaring over the boundary, taking any pressure off Astle to maintain the scoring rate.
"Cairnsy's having a great summer, it's just a pleasure to bat with him."
Astle said it was a bonus for the Black Caps that the West Indies used few medium-to-slow bowlers as it meant the ball was always coming on, even though the wicket was starting to slow up.
"Once you get in you can get used to their sort of bowling. I was disappointed getting out when I did. I had just said to Harry (Chris Harris) that I must bat through -- I'm the established batter when Cairnsy went out."
West Indies skipper Brian Lara said he was handicapped by the rain, which fell occasionally during the latter stages, as he could not bowl another spinner.
"Our slow bowler was having trouble gripping the ball and I decided not to risk our part-timer Jimmy Adams. Also Cairns seems to like slow bowling.
"We defended the total pretty well I thought but the wet conditions played a part," said the West Indian captain.
Dropped catch 'significant'
Lara conceded the catch dropped at mid-on by Mervyn Dillon of Dion Nash on five in the 44th over, after taking a fine leaping effort in the same position two overs before, was significant.
New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said it could have been a big swing in the match with the Black Caps then eight down.
Lara was unable to pinpoint why only Reon King, who had the splendid figures of three for 24 with three maidens from 8.1 overs, was the only member of the regular fast bowling quartet to make much advance on this tour.
His team-mates could well learn from the broad-shouldered King, who bowls fuller and straighter than most, adapting well to New Zealand conditions
© The Christchurch Press