Kiwis expect to demolish Windies

"This is a side we should put away quite comfortably," said former medium-fast bowler Simon Doull in discussing the prospects for the tour with another ex-Kiwi, wicketkeeper Ian Smith, in a cricket programme on local television.

"We need to play on good batting wickets and really put some runs on them," Doull added in reference to the five-match ODI series, which begins on Saturday (Friday night Caribbean time) with a day/night fixture at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington.

"(Shivnarine) Chanderpaul and Chris Gayle are going to hold the key for them for the most part with the bat, so that’s where we’re really going to have to do the damage, because with the ball I think they are going to be battling a little bit."

While both men acknowledged that they knew very little, if anything, about most members of the West Indies squad, Doull sees this visit of the Caribbean squad as an opportunity for Stephen Fleming’s team to boost their rankings in both forms of the game.

"They are teams we have to beat and beat convincingly to get our numbers up that ranking a little bit more," said the giant former seamer.

Yet as much as he dismisses the overall challenge of the tourists, Doull is thrilled at the prospect of seeing Brian Lara at his best in the three-Test series next month.

"How exciting for us, and any New Zealander who loves Test cricket, you’ve got to get out and watch him," he stated enthusiastically. He’s a fantastic cricketer, one of the world’s best, well, the best we’ve ever seen. The last chance we’ll ever get to see him, so you’d want to get out there and watch him."

Smith is in no doubt as to what should be the New Zealanders’ attitude to facing the West Indies.

"Quite frankly, I think this is a series in both forms of the game — Test and one-day — that the Black Caps must say ‘We will dominate’."

However he remained hopeful that some of the visitors’ youthful talents, especially all-rounder Dwayne Bravo and wicketkeeper-batsman Denesh Ramdin, will enliven the contests.

"I’m looking for some Caribbean magic, I’ve got to say. The cricket season dearly needs that," Smith stated.

"Let’s see if Chanderpaul can lead his side with a little bit of determination and a bit of pride, because I think the West Indies, even at home, are crying out for that kind of action."