WARM-UP: Brathwaite (183*), Bravo (93) take WI to 353-3 on day one

Kraigg Brathwaite and Darren Bravo punished New Zealand A bowlers on day one of the Four-day warm-up game at the John Davies Oval in Queenstown, as West Indies piled up an impressive 353-3 by the close of play.

Brathwaite batted through the entire 90 overs to finish on a magnificent 183 not out, while Bravo, who cracked 135 in the three-day warm-up contest a week ago, made 93.

Brathwaite and the under-fire John Campbell gave West Indies a solid opening stand of 111, before the Jamaican left-hander fell for 45, his first substantial score on the tour.

Bravo then joined Brathwaite and they proceeded to add 189 for the second wicket. Shamarh Brooks missed out, making five, while Jermaine Blackwood is the other not out batsman on 19.

Blair Tickner, Michael Rae and Rachin Ravindra took a wicket each for New Zealand A.

On the eve of the match, West Indies Head Coach Phil Simmons had called on the Test batsmen to spend more time at the crease as they prepare for the first Test. Judging from the opening day’s performance, they seem to have heeded that call.

West Indies are preparing to face New Zealand in two Test matches, starting December 3 and 11. Prior to that, the two sides square off in three T20s from November 27-30.