Preparations going well in New Zealand

Christchurch, New Zealand – West Indies Test match players will get a feel of the conditions in New Zealand when they play a warm-up match, starting Wednesday.

A section of the squad travelled from India to Christchurch where they have been preparing for the three-match Test Series against the Black Caps.

The three-day match-up will be against the New Zealand XI at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln (start Tuesday 5:30pm Eastern Caribbean Time/4:30pm Jamaica Time).

West Indies Assistant Coach, Stuart Williams, has been in charge of the squad and they have been having outdoor sessions for the last week at the Lincoln University, 30 minutes outside of Christchurch.

“The guys have been working hard since we came here and they have been putting in a lot of good work as we prepare for the Test matches. It is cold over here but they guys have focussed on what is required,” Williams told WICB Media.

“The purpose for the guys coming here start from India was to get acclimatised to the foreign conditions and that is exactly what we have done.

“We have been training and preparing really well but it is always good to get out in the middle and have a good game. As you are aware the One-Day team is over in India playing an intense series and after that the additional players will come over here and join this group that is here.”

The players in New Zealand are experienced left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul, off-spinner Shane Shillingford, pacer Shannon Gabriel, left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell, wicket-keeper Chadwick Walton and middle-order batsman Kirk Edwards.

“Shiv is here and he has led the way. He’s our most experience player and he knows what his preparation schedule is. The others have followed his lead and we will be fully prepared when the big time comes,” Williams added.

“The guys have been talking a lot to each other and sharing ideas. They have been doing some planning and appear ready to start tomorrow.”
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The players in New Zealand are experienced left-hander Shiv Chanderpaul, off-spinner Shane Shillingford, pacer Shannon Gabriel, left-arm pacer Sheldon Cottrell, wicket-keeper Chadwick Walton and middle-order batsman Kirk Edwards.

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