Campbell: This one's for the late greats

Hamilton - Sherwin Campbell's thoughts during his boundary-studded 170 on the first day of the first Test at Hamilton's WestpacTrust Park yesterday were not on the record-books, but on the great men of West Indies and Barbados cricket.

The 29-year-old opening batsman, who has taken New Zealand by storm, led West Indies to 282 for one wicket on the first day.

'I dedicated my batting today to those three great Barbadian cricketers: Sir Conrad Hunte, Malcolm Marshall and Sylvester Clarke,' he said after his superb innings.

'They were great men. I knew them well, and so am proud to honour their memory.'

Campbell said he also wanted his innings to be a tribute to his wife Rosalind and his daughter Sherice, especially as he will not be home in time for his daughter's second birthday early in January.

He said his innings and the 276-run partnership with Adrian Griffith (103 not out) was special for they had been Barbados' opening partners for many games, and he gained comfort from the solid, no-nonsense style of Griffith at the other end.

Campbell has three centuries in his three first class innings in New Zealand: 112 and 109 not out against Auckland and now his 170 yesterday.

'I think we should play New Zealand more often, because each time I play them I seem to get runs,' he said.

'The pitches over here are playing very well, actually. They're nice and even and once you get in for a while things get easier for you.'

Campbell yesterday reached his century in 224 minutes, from 177 balls, with 17 fours, and his 170 took 346 minutes, 262 balls and had 23 fours and two sixes.

Griffith's first Test century took him 318 minutes, 261 balls and contained ten fours and a six.