Dunedin–West Indies hopes of making headway in the opening Test against New Zealand hit a snag yesterday.

Not a ball was bowled on the second day of the Test after persistent rain left University Oval too soaked for the players to start.

New Zealand were set to resume on 226 for four in their first innings with Jesse Ryder not out 54 and Brendon McCullum not out on four.

But the rain continued steadily throughout the day, after 14 millimetres fell overnight, and made it impossible for the players to get onto the park.

Play was scheduled to start half-hour earlier – as it now will on Saturday’s third day – after bad light forced the players off the field 16.4 overs early the previous evening.

On the opening day on Thursday, Chris Gayle wheeling away his uncomplicated off-spin gave some edge to a less than penetrative West Indies attack, as Daniel Flynn and Ryder held firm for New Zealand.

The West Indies captain collected three wickets for 42 runs from 20 overs, after New Zealand, chose to bat. (CMC)