New Zealand v West Indies - Series Preview

If one discounts Sri Lanka, who arrive in Aotearoa for two Tests immediately following West Indies' departure, this is the ultimate 'top vs bottom' match-up; New Zealand have never won an ATG series in fifteen attempts, emerging victorious in just five Tests out of fifty in that time, whilst West Indies have won their last six series and have sat comfortably at the top of the rankings since taking over from England at the start of the current season.

New Zealand surrendered rather meekly in their most recent series in South Africa and West Indies ran out 4-1 winners when the sides met in the Caribbean last season, but if truth be told New Zealand could, and perhaps should, have won three of those Tests, and consequently the Blackcaps will be entering into this series with positive intentions and a feeling of unfinished business. Chris Cairns should make his long awaited debut after being forced to pull out of the South Africa Tests with injury, and John Reid has been retained as skipper, at least for the first half of the New Zealand summer.

John Reid needs results in order to
hold on to the New Zealand captaincy

With this series sandwiched between a tough tour of South Africa and a full five Test engagement at home against India, a number of players have either been rested or omitted for reasons of form and fitness by the West Indies' selectors, most notably Viv Richards and Malcolm Marshall. Charlie Griffith is included in a West Indian squad for the first time, whilst recalls are given to Frank Worrell, Clyde Walcott, Sonny Ramadhin, Wes Hall, Andy Roberts and Colin Croft, with Worrell included for the first time since losing the captaincy following West Indies' 4-0 humiliation at home to Pakistan at the end of season 3.

Whether West Indies are taking their opponents too lightly remains to be seen, but even with such changes in personnel their squad is still strong, and anything other than a series victory for Garry Sobers' side would have to be seen as one of the biggest shocks in the history of ATG cricket.

Current form (most recent result first)
New Zealand DLLWL
West Indies LWWDL

Previous series result
West Indies 4 New Zealand 1 (Season V, 5 Tests)

The three Ws have played together just
once previously in West Indies' ATG history

West Indies Squad
GStA Sobers (c), RB Kanhai (v/c), CEH Croft, PJL Dujon, RC Fredericks, J Garner, CC Griffith, WW Hall, DL Haynes, S Ramadhin, AME Roberts, CL Walcott, CA Walsh, EdeC Weekes, FMM Worrell.

Itinerary
- Tour Match v North Island (Napier)
- 1st TEST (Wellington)
- 2nd TEST (Christchurch)
- 3rd TEST (Auckland)