Persistent drizzle delayed the start of the first Test between New Zealand and the West Indies at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Thursday. The forecast was for the weather to clear in the early afternoon but for occasional showers to return over the next five days. At stake in the series are World Test Championship points, with New Zealand having a chance to make the final if they sweep the two West Indies Tests and the following two Tests against Pakistan. The West Indies, however, languish in seventh place with head coach Phil Simmons saying victory was important to lift their Test status. Seddon Park has proved a fortress for New Zealand in recent years with the side notching up Test wins over Sri Lanka, Pakistan, West Indies and Bangladesh, and draws against South Africa and England since they last lost in Hamilton to South Africa in 2012. cf/hr/jc