Aim to stay ahead of NZ in rankings - Sarwan

Ramnaresh Sarwan believes the target for the West Indies in their upcoming Test series against New Zealand will be to stay ahead of the hosts in the ICC rankings before looking to move upwards.

New Zealand slipped to No. 8 in the ICC rankings, just behind West Indies following their 2-0 walloping in Australia last month. If they beat the West Indies, they can immediately move back to seventh but a draw or a loss will leave West Indies on top. "We want to make sure that we stay ahead of them and move up the ladder," Sarwan said. "We need to keep pushing hard."

West Indies drew their only warm-up match of the tour, against Auckland on Sunday, with Sarwan the sole centurion for his side. He was happy with his performance but felt there was still room for improvement.

"It was a very good pitch to bat on and I tried to make the best use of it. The pitch was quite flat but we expect conditions to be a bit different for the Test match in Dunedin. It is important that I start over again when we enter the Test match. I will take confidence into the first Test."

Sarwan scored 158 as West Indies made 431 for 7 in reply to Auckland's 587 for 7, which included a maiden double-century from captain Richard Jones and a hundred from wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins.

West Indies last played a Test in June against Australia but Sarwan felt the team had adapted well since arriving in New Zealand last week. "It was good to spend some time at the crease … and fortunately I made the most of it." The first Test starts on Thursday in Dunedin.