NEW DELHI: A depleted New Zealand side, struggling with a growing injury list, ran into firm West Indies resistance on Day 4 of the first Test on Friday, failing to close out the contest after setting an imposing 531-run target.

Shai Hope stood tall for the visitors, crafting his fourth Test century and anchoring an unbroken 140-run stand with Justin Greaves. The partnership began after New Zealand grabbed four wickets in quick succession during the second session, threatening to rip through the West Indies lineup.

By stumps, Hope remained unbeaten on 116, with Greaves solid on 55, guiding the West Indies to 212/4 - still trailing by 319 runs but showing impressive resilience.

New Zealand had stretched their lead to 530 before ending their second innings at 466/8 on Thursday, though the finish came more from necessity than intent. With Tom Blundell sidelined by a hamstring injury and Nathan Smith unable to bat due to a side strain, the hosts effectively ran out of fit players, making a declaration irrelevant.

Matt Henry delivered 11 overs in the West Indies' second innings before pulling up with a painful calf and heading to the nearby hospital at Hagley Oval for scans.

With Henry sidelined and Nathan Smith already out due to a side strain, New Zealand suddenly found themselves desperately short on pace options. That left Jacob Duffy and Zak Foulkes - with just two Tests between them and both playing their first at home - as the only fully fit fast bowlers available.

To add injury to injury, Hope is still affected by a serious eye infection which has forced him to bat in sunglasses in both innings; to make a half century in the first innings and a century. He was unable to field for most of New Zealand's second innings and has needed antibiotic eye drops.

That made his effort throughout the fourth day all the more meritorious as the medical staff of both teams were kept busily employed.

"I don't want to give away too much but it's just about understanding what you have to do to overcome a situation," Hope said. "They've got quality bowlers in test cricket, nobody's a walkover in this format."

New Zealand had no choice from the second session but to tie up one end with the spinners Michael Bracewell and Rachin Ravindra, then rotate Duffy and Foulkes at the other end with the nagging wind at their backs.

Bracewell bowled 22 overs, taking 1-54, Ravindra bowled nine overs, Duffy bowled 19 overs and took 2-65 and Foulkes bowled 13 overs.

New Zealand resumed Thursday on 417-4, already 481 ahead after leading by 64 on the first innings. The West Indies were bowled out for 167 in reply to New Zealand's 231.

Ravindra made 171 and Tom Latham 145 as New Zealand took control of the match on the third day. Latham who has been captain, opening bat and wicketkeeper in this match after the injury to Blundell decided to bat on on the fourth morning with no particular goal in mind.

New Zealand did so in a desultory sort of way for 14 overs and lost Will Young (23), Bracewell (26), Henry (8) and Duffy (10) before the innings ended with Foulkes 11 not out.

Kemar Roach dismissed Young, Bracewell and Henry to finish with 5-78, his 12th five-wicket bag in tests. He is the oldest bowler at 37 to take five wickets in an innings against New Zealand and he now has 291 test wickets, placing him fifth on the West Indies all-time list.

After New Zealand's innings ended, John Campbell (15) and Tagenarine Chanderpaul (6) carried the West Indies through to lunch. Then Duffy removed both openers in a quick double strike after the break. Bracewell removed Alick Athanaze (5) and Henry dismissed Roston Chase (4) leaving the West Indies 72-4.

Hope and Greaves then batted through most of the last two sessions to see the West Indies to stumps without further loss and to set up an intriguing final day. Decisions on the fitness of Henry and Smith may be critical in determining the outcome.

(With AP Inputs)