DUNEDIN, New Zealand (CMC):

West Indies captain Chris Gayle said he was in no doubt when he referred his unsuccessful appeal against New Zealand batsman Daniel Flynn, on the opening day of the first Test at the University Oval on Thursday.

Trundling his off spin, Gayle rapped the left-handed Flynn on the pads as he played forward but the resulting lbw appeal was turned down by umpire Amiesh Saheba.

Gayle immediately referred the decision under the new umpire review system and Flynn was adjudged out after third umpire Rudi Koertzen examined the replay.

"I called for the review because I was confident it was out. I would not have called for a replay if I did not believe there was something in it," said Gayle, his side's best bowler with three for 42. "I thought it was pretty close. I wouldn't be appealing if I thought it was missing. I knew it was close when it was taking a while."

Disappointing

The decision was disappointing for Flynn who had crafted his way towards 95 and was eyeing his maiden Test century. New Zealand, winning the toss and batting, finished on 226 for four.

The system, being used for the first time by both teams, permits the batting and bowling sides to challenge umpire decisions. Only three unsuccessful appeals are allowed per innings.

"It's something new, so we'll see how well it benefits the game, but so far everything is successful for us," said Gayle. "It is the first time using it and so far we've been successful. It was a good wicket to get, he batted well and we were pleased to get him at that stage."

Gayle, the lucky bowler, said while his side had been happy to see Flynn's departure, he also had some sympathy for the batsman.

"You know, if I was the batsman, I'd be pretty disappointed," said Gayle. "Flynn batted pretty well even though it was a good wicket to bat on. I thought he really assessed the conditions as quickly as possible. It is just unfortunate he missed out on a 100."

Evenly shared

He said he believed honours on the day had been evenly shared and praised his bowlers for their commitment.

"The ball was not doing that much and the bowlers worked hard," Gayle noted.

Meanwhile, 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.

Rain-affected

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 on to the park.

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

West Indies are looking for their first Test series victory - let alone Test win - for 12 years in New Zealand.

The Test is the first of two with the second scheduled to start in Napier on December 19.