Kiwis win toss, bat first

A suggestion from both captains that the match be played without super subs, in anticipation of the International Cricket Council’s move to dispense with subs from next month, was rejected by match referee Mike Proctor of South Africa.

Proctor sought guidance on the issue from the ICC and said he understood the captains’ position but added while the rule existed it had to be obeyed.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said in winning the toss his team was in a position to make best use of the super sub, a role awarded to off-spinner Jeetan Patel.

"Winning the toss is a good start," Fleming said. "As we know, the super sub rule is a flawed rule and we have to make the most of it."

New Zealand left opener Lou Vincent out of its starting 11, chosing all-rounder Nathan Astle whose bowling may be valuable on a pitch which is likely to be slow.

The West Indies omitted Dwayne Bravo, who has a side strain, and Deighton Butler, naming Rawl Lewis as super sub.

"The pitch looks pretty dry," said captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

"It’s hard to tell, it’s our first time on this wicket. We’ll have a look first and see what’s going to happen and how we have to adjust."

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Jamie How, Nathan Astle, Scott Styris, Peter Fulton, Hamish Marshall, Brendan McCullum, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Michael

Mason. Jeetan Patel (super sub).

West Indies: Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Runako Morton, Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Jerome Taylor, Ian Bradshaw, Fidel Edwards, Wavell Hinds. Rawl Lews (super sub).

Umpires: Rudi Koertzen, South Africa, Tony Hill, New Zealand.

Match referee: Mike Proctor, South Africa. TV umpire: Evan Watkin, New Zealand.