That brought Ross Taylor to the wicket. The in-form batsman cracked the ball through the covers and looked to be seeing the ball well. But in a moment of madness gifted Gayle his second wicket when he perished to the slog sweep, hitting the ball straight up in the air for Xavier Marshall to complete a simple catch.
Meanwhile, Daniel Flynn brought up his first test 50 when he tucked a ball of his hip for a single.
At drinks, New Zealand was 128 for three.
Earlier, Flynn reached his 50 off 77 balls with a single off the bowling of Chris Gayle in the 31st over of the first day of the first test against the West Indies.
But McIntosh, who had survived the first session, went for 34 four overs later when he tried to hit Gayle over the top and gave Lionel Baker the catch.
Ross Taylor joined Flynn and the pair guided the Black Caps to 128 for two before Taylor lost his head - and then his wicket.
He tried the big cross-batted shot to Gayle and spooned a high catch to Xavier Marshall. Taylor was 15.
Jesse Ryder is the new man at the crease as the Black Caps attempt to rebuild around the doughty Flynn.
McIntosh enjoyed his first lunch break in international cricket after helping New Zealand recover from the early loss of Jamie How to be 88 for one at lunch.
McIntosh went into the shed undefeated on 28 while Flynn needed just two more runs to raise his first test half century.
Daren Powell picked up the only wicket to fall when How was caught at point by Shivnarine Chanderpaul.
McIntosh looked nervous and took 38 balls to get off the mark.
When he finally opened his account it was with a streaky edge over gully for four.
Newly promoted No 3 batsman Flynn was far more assured at the wicket and at drinks was undefeated on 13 with New Zealand 34 for one.
Earlier, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori struck the first blow for the home side, winning the toss and electing to bat.
The West Indies have picked a four-pronged pace attack of Jerome Taylor, Fidel Edwards, Daren Powell and Lionel Baker, with spinner Sulieman Benn carrying the drinks.
New Zealand will be without star all-rounder Jacob Oram who injured a calf muscle in training yesterday.
He has been replaced by Kyle Mills in the starting XI.
Jeetan Patel is 12th man for the Black Caps.
Despite predictions, the sun is out and a small crowd has settled in at the Oval for the crucial first session.
