A well-crafted century by captain Chris Gayle helped the West Indies to 278 for seven at stumps on day four in Napier.

The West Indies were all out for 375 at lunch - with Chris Gayle falling three runs short of a double hundred - to set the hosts an unlikely victory target of 312 and needing to survive the remaining two sessions to avoid defeat.

Jamie How hit a half-century as the Black Caps entered the final session with seven wickets in hand, 209 runs behind, as they seek to secure a second draw of the two Test series.

With West Indies resuming on 278 for seven, New Zealand required three quick wickets to boost hopes of a Test and series victory following the drawn first match in Dunedin.

But Gayle added 51 runs to his overnight total, eventually falling for 197 in a 70-run partnership with Fidel Edwards. Gayle's innings was brought to an end when Jeetan Patel found an edge and wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum took the catch.

Edwards became Patel's fifth victim of the innings soon after when he was tempted to play at a delivery which was held by Ross Taylor at first slip.

James Franklin dropped Sulieman Benn but New Zealand then wrapped up the West Indies second innings when Daren Powell was out lbw to Vettori.

New Zealand lost the wicket of first innings centurion Tim McIntosh in the third over, when he was trapped lbw by Jerome Taylor for three, leaving the Black Caps eight for one.

How received a reprieve in the 11th over when he was dropped by Taylor off the bowling of Edwards when on 18 but a stand of 54 with Daniel Flynn was ended when the latter was run out on 33 after attempting a quick single.

How forged on to move to 54 with some fine boundaries, but he perished when an outside edge was held by Gayle at first slip as Edwards took his first wicket of the innings and eighth of the match. Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder each reached four not out at the interval.