Off-spinner Sunil Narine was already indicating he would be a factor later in the game as he put New Zealand’s batsmen under immense pressure on the second day of the third Test yesterday before the hosts finished on 156 for three at close of play.

Narine, who has now taken 14 of his 17 Test wickets against New Zealand, captured the key wicket of Kane Williamson shortly before the close when the 23-year-old batsman had seemed well set with Ross Taylor to capitalise on the third day at Seddon Park.

Taylor was 56 not out, taking his series tally to 418 runs, while captain Brendon McCullum was on 11 at the close with the hosts still 211 runs behind the visitors’ 367.

Shivnarine Chanderpaul had earlier brought up his 29th Test century when he finished 122 not out after the tourists added 78 runs to their overnight 289-6 before being dismissed.

“We are probably behind the eight ball a little bit having to bat last on this wicket and the wicket taking some turn,” New Zealand bowling coach Shane Bond said.

“There was a lot made of Sunil Narine coming back into the team and the variation he offers and I think the guys have found it challenging. For the rest of the batsmen tomorrow it’s about getting set, getting in, getting a good look at him and as Ross showed you can score runs against him.”

New Zealand’s innings started badly when openers Hamish Rutherford (10) and Peter Fulton (11) were both dismissed by two brilliant Darren Sammy catches.

Rutherford was the first wicket to fall when drove back to the West Indies captain, who plucked the ball centimetres above the pitch on the first stride of his follow-through. He then took a brilliant reflex catch in Narine’s first over when Fulton produced a leg glance off the full face of the bat only for Sammy to somehow take the ball low down at leg slip.

Narine was causing all sorts of consternation for Williamson and Taylor before tea as the 25-year-old coaxed several false shots with his variation and flight.

Just as it looked like New Zealand would be well set to make the most of ideal batting conditions expected for today’s third day’s play, Narine trapped Williamson in front for 58.