25 Jul 2012

Black Caps may be wary of first test wicket

6:19 am on 25 July 2012

The Sir Vivian Richards Stadium wicket continues to raise some concerns for the New Zealand cricketers heading into the first test against the West Indies starting in Antigua tomorrow morning.

The Black Caps struggled to score runs in the warmup match at the same ground, manging 149 and 181 for 8.

Captain Ross Taylor says they would have liked more runs from that match but they will be better for it.

Wicketkeeper Kruger van Wyk, who scored 34 and 38 last weekend, says he expects the wicket to be low and slow, it will breakup and take turn, however if the batsmen are patient it shouldn't cause too many problems.

The Windies spinner, Sunil Narine, proved to be a match winner for the homeside in the limited overs matches.

New Zealand is expected to take just one spinner, Daniel Vettori, into the match, while the pace attack is likely to be Chris Martin, Neil Wagner and Doug Bracewell.