Tony Becca
ONCE UPON a time, the West Indies versus New Zealand was like a match between men and boys - a contest which the Windies were expected to win. It was a contest during which they usually parade their young guns, and a contest which, barring one hiccup in 1980-81 when they surprisingly lost 1-0, they also usually won.
Times have changed, however, so much so that the last two times the two teams met, the West Indies lost both times.
In 2000 in New Zealand, the West Indies lost both matches and, in 2002, in the Caribbean, they lost one and drew one.
RANKED NO 8
Add to that the fact the West Indies are ranked at No. 8 in the LG ICC Test rankings and that New Zealand are three places above them, the fact that the West Indies' performance away from home has been dismal in recent years, the fact that in 10 series away from home they have lost seven, while defeating only Zimbabwe and Bangladesh, and it is not surprising that when they meet in Auckland today, for the start of the three-match Test series, the West Indies will be the underdogs with New Zealand, 4-1 winners of the one-day series, favourites to win.
Favourites, however, do not always win, and although the odds are against the West Indies, they can, with a little luck, win the series.
And there are three reasons why the West Indies are in with a chance of winning it.
Although the West Indies are no longer as strong as England, Pakistan, South Africa or Australia, the first reason why the West Indies can come away victorious is that in losing to all four teams at home in recent times, New Zealand's record at home is far from impressive.
The second reason is the presence of Brian Lara in the Windies line-up; and the third is the pace of fast bowler Fidel Edwards and the swing of left-hander Ian Bradshaw.
With bowlers like pacer Shane Bond and left-arm spinner Daniel Vettori, plus pacers Chris Martin and left-hander James Franklin, the New Zealand attack is good - no question about that.
Lara, however, is a genius, he is a batsman who has destroyed the best, he is a batsman who is still capable of destroying the best, and if he gets going, not only can he destroy Bond, Vettori and company, but he could also inspire the likes of Ramnaresh Sarwan and captain Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga and/or Devon Smith.
NZ BATTING GOOD
With batsmen like captain Stephen Fleming and Nathan Astle, newcomers Jamie How and Peter Fulton, Scott Styris and Hamish Marshall, New Zealand's batting is also good - and again no question about that.
Edwards, however, is fast, his slinging action makes it difficult for batsmen to get into a rhythm against him, and if he can find and maintain a good length and line, he could be dangerous - and so too could Bradshaw.
The big questions facing the West Indies as they prepare for battle are these: should they go in with Ganga instead of Devon Smith, should they go in with all-rounder Bravo even though he is still recovering from injury and cannot bowl, and should they go in with three pacers plus legspinner Rawl Lewis or with four pacers?
It should be Devon Smith over Ganga, with Runako Morton or Dwayne Smith being the alternative, it should be Bravo, and with Edwards, Bradshaw and Daren Powell expected to be the three pacers, without another one that would add some quality or some fire to the attack, it should be Lewis.
The odds are on New Zealand to start the contest on a winning note and to go on and win it. As disappointing as they have been in the recent years, however, the West Indies, with Lara and Chander-paul, Edwards and Bradshaw, could crash the party.
