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WELLINGTON, DECEMBER 24: New Zealand newcomer Mathew Sinclair will take the pressure packed No 3 spot in the second Test against the West ...

WELLINGTON, DECEMBER 24: New Zealand newcomer Mathew Sinclair will take the pressure packed No 3 spot in the second Test against the West Indies starting on Sunday. Kiwi coach David Trist said Sinclair will follow openers Gary Stead and previous No 3 Craig Spearman, who moves to opening spot.

The Basin Reserve pitch should again favour the pace bowlers on the first morning, which will help left-armer Shayne O’Connor’ chances of playing. Trist however hasn’t ruled out the two-seamer, two-spinner option that initially raised eyebrows but eventually won New Zealand the first Test.

The West Indies are unlikely to make wholesale changes though after having their positive moments at Hamilton, none less than being 282 for one after the first day. Captain Brian Lara was upbeat but deflected questions about West Indian media reports of a rift in the team. “The personnel that we have here have done a tremendous job, unfortunately four days of cricket on the field would have thrown up a lot of question marks,” Lara said. “I’m quite happy with the way things are going in the camp.”

Teams (from) — New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (captain), Gary Stead, Craig Spearman, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore, Chris Cairns, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, Paul Wiseman, Shayne O’Connor.
West Indies: Brian Lara (captain), Sherwin Campbell, Adrian Griffith, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Ricardo Powell, Jimmy Adams, Ridley Jacobs, Dinanath Ramnarine, Franklyn Rose, Courtney Walsh, Reon King, Mervyn Dillon, Pedro Collins.

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