Main event follows wet false start
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The abbreviated first Test in Dunedin highlighted that West Indies are a real threat in the series which concludes in Napier from Friday. The batting of Chris Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and an unlikely Jerome Taylor, in between the rain, showed that the visiting order will take some serious effort to be dismissed on what is expected to be an excellent surface.
According to Mathew Sinclair, the Central Districts captain and former Test batsman, the McLean Park pitch is a belter. He said it is taking very little turn and the batsmen should get ready for a long stay at the crease. This will suit the West Indians.
Gayle, who scored 74 in West Indies' only innings at the University Oval, and Chanderpaul (76) have already shown the New Zealanders how difficult it is to dismiss them on a good surface. With Ramnaresh Sarwan, a third world-class batsman, in the side, the order looks more capable than their opponents of posting a big score. If Gayle wins the toss and bats on Friday, Daniel Vettori's men could be up against it. There is also the worry of the lower order following Jerome Taylor's breakthrough century from No. 8.
New Zealand's lack of experience could count against them. The opener Jamie How is under huge pressure to perform, mainly because in 17 Tests he has not scored a century and is averaging 22.74. When Aaron Redmond was dropped for this series, many thought his partner How should have been the one to go. Tim McIntosh was brought in for Redmond and added 34 and 24 not out following a nervous start.
The lack of three-figure scores by the rest of the top order is another concern. While Daniel Flynn and Jesse Ryder came close in the first Test, New Zealand lack the potential for a major contribution that can raise totals in excess of 400. Not one century has been made in the last six Tests. The last player to reach that milestone is under an injury cloud, with Ross Taylor, who picked up 154 not out against England in May, dislocating the ring finger on his right hand while fielding in the first Test. Catching is more of a discomfort than batting for Taylor and Peter Fulton, who was dropped following the 2-0 defeat in Australia, has joined the squad as cover.
What the first match showed was that the teams are evenly matched and both are desperate to win the series to claim seventh spot on the rankings. With so much riding on the result, it should be an entertaining spectacle, especially if the batting orders can fire in the first innings.
While New Zealand have some troubles with their batsmen, there is also uncertainty in their attack. Replacing the bowling spearhead Chris Martin with the in-experienced Mark Gillespie failed badly in Dunedin and if Jeetan Patel, the offspinner, is an unlikely elevation, Gillespie may be the man to miss out. In Dunedin he bowled 21 overs for 102 runs without reward and the visitors were comfortable when facing him.
On the positive side Kyle Mills regained his Test form when he replaced the injured Jacob Oram at the last minute. His 3 for 64 and was a good sign, along with Vettori's 6 for 56, for the second Test. James Franklin has a rib injury but bowled strongly at training on Wednesday, meaning his standby Chris Martin is likely to be heading back to the domestic scene, while Iain O'Brien is the other member of the attack.
Once again Oram has been ruled out by injury and will miss his fifth Test since October. The calf problem he suffered before the opening game is still bothering him, adding to his raft of injuries over the past few years. In Bangladesh he suffered a back complaint and followed that up by chipping a bone in his finger while playing for Central Districts. His record has attracted criticism from his former team-mate Craig McMillan.
There are few concerns for West Indies' bowlers and they should be satisfied with the way they performed in Dunedin. Gayle told windiescricket.com he was happy with the way his team played in the match.
"It was cold and we had a lot of rain, but we adapted well and had some very good performances," he said. "There is always room for improvement and we will be looking for improvement in all departments. We will be back in business in Napier in a few days and we will be looking for a win in that match."
New Zealand (from) Jamie How, Tim McIntosh, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Peter Fulton, Brendon McCullum (wk), Daniel Vettori (capt), James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin.
West Indies (from) Chris Gayle (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.
Peter Burdon is a freelance writer based in Christchurch