West Indies look to add pressure on Tim Southee-less New Zealand

The West Indies harbour hopes of their first away win over New Zealand in 22 years as the loss of Tim Southee and BJ Watling put pressure on the Blacks Caps ahead of Friday's first Test in Wellington. Without strike bowler Southee, and a lack of experience among the New Zealand middle order batsmen, West Indies captain Jason Holder sees the key to success as the swift removal of senior batsmen Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor.

Tim Southee. Pic/AFP

New Zealand are returning to the Test arena after an eight-month break while the battle-hardened West Indies are coming off a 2-1 series loss to England and a 1-0 win over Zimbabwe. “We've been on the road together for a while [and] we're doing some good things but we need to be pushing the consistency button more to keep heading in that upward direction,” Holder said.