WELLINGTON, New Zealand (CMC) — West Indies batsman Shai Hope says he is disappointed the team could not build on its strong start on the opening day of the second Test against New Zealand on Wednesday.

After being sent in to bat at the Basin Reserve, the West Indies opening pair of John Campbell and Brandon King shared a 66-run partnership to give them an early advantage in the morning session.

Even after they were dismissed, the visitors were still comfortably positioned at 153 for three, before losing their last seven wickets for the addition of only 52 runs, to be bowled out for 205.

Hope, who top-scored with 48, said the West Indies would have been hoping for a much larger total than what they eventually mustered.

“We kind of let ourselves down in the backend especially with the foundation that we had. The openers laid a very good foundation for us; King came in and made an impact for us straight away, getting a good start.

“We let ourselves down in the backend and put too much pressure on the lower order this time around, but credit must still be given to good bowling and good bowlers,” Hope said.

“We still have to look at a few areas with the bat where we can put a better first innings score and set the game up for us, but it just didn’t happen for us today,” he continued.