It may not hold the allure of Australia versus South Africa or the drama associated with England's high security passage to India, but there is stills plenty at stake for the BLACKCAPS and the West Indies.
The quaint University Oval hosts a test for the second time -- a fitting location for a low key series opener between two struggling test nations.
Only Bangladesh languish behind the dethroned Calypso Kings and BLACKCAPS on the International Cricket Council's test ladder -- though the battle between the seventh-placed visitors and their eighth-ranked hosts has several intriguing subplots.
The two-test series marks the start of English-born Andy Moles' regime as BLACKCAPS coach after John Bracewell while from a playing perspective, yet another opening batsman is trialling for the top order's most problematic position.
State Auckland Ace's Tim McIntosh becomes the BLACKCAPS’ first specialist left handed opener since the dependable Mark Richardson retired in 2004 while Daniel Flynn is promoted to first drop for the first time in his seven-test career as Moles tries to succeed where Bracewell failed -- constructing a reliable batting unit.
Another left hander, Flynn has displayed enough dogged determination in his debut season to be handed the challenging task of helping blunt a West Indies pace attack likely to feature a quartet of right-armers.
Flynn, who debuted at Lord's in May, is yet to post his first half-century but averages 35.25 from a dozen test innings. His promotion sees the more cavalier Jesse Ryder drop down to five behind Ross Taylor.
"We always thought Daniel would go up the order and be in that top four -- it's just come a little sooner than we would have liked," Vettori said.
"He fits the description of a number three, he's pretty gritty and puts his shots away for a while."
Brendon McCullum also remains at No 7 after being played as high up as first drop this year.
McCullum is an important cog in what appears an area of BLACKCAPS’ strength compared to the West Indies -- the middle and lower order.
The BLACKCAPS welcome back James Franklin from an almost two-year injury-enforced absence. The allrounder has already scored a double century in the State Championship suggesting he should add value when batting at nine.
However, Franklin's primary responsibility on his international return from a knee reconstruction will be to curb the threat posed by the West Indians trump cards -- Chris Gayle, Ramnaresh Sarwan and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, who averages an incredible 105.41 in 20 test innings since December 2006.
"To get through those three players is probably going to be the key to how we go in this series," Vettori admitted.
Franklin, who offers left arm variation and an ability to swing the ball at the top of the innings, will share the new cherry with Mark Gillespie, who has been handed that coveted role for the first time in his third test.
Iain O'Brien will round out the frontline seam attack while Jacob Oram -- if fit -- will perform his usual containing role.
However, the allrounder is in doubt after reporting a tight calf before training yesterday. Kyle Mills has been summoned from Auckland as cover.
While the BLACKCAPS are coming to terms with a new coaching regime, the West Indies are emerging from test hibernation following a 0-2 series loss to Australia six months ago.
Since then they have survived on a meagre diet of one-dayers and the Stanford Twenty20 showdown pocketed six of the touring party a cool $US1 million ($NZ1.85 million) last month for beating England.
Although there is little financial incentive on this trip Oram doubted the West Indies would find it onerous to adapt to test cricket.
"I don't think it'll be hard for them to flick the switch," he said.
"They have very strong batting and some tearaway guys in the bowling -- on their day they can be a hell of a handful."
NZPA
