State Central Stags youngster Ross Taylor makes his BLACKCAPS debut in the third National Bank Series One-Day International against West Indies at Napier’s McLean Park.
Taylor comes into the side for the first time as provincial team-mate Michael Mason makes way for Kyle Mills.
He will get an early chance to display his batting skills as Shivnarine Chanderpaul won his first toss of the tour and put the hosts into bat.
Before the toss, Stephen Fleming told BLACKCAPS.co.nz columnist Gavin Larsen: “There’s a nice buzz around the team to get him in.
“He’s punished a few of the bowlers around the country in the domestic season and we’ve been waiting for him to get his opportunity.
“He’s certainly deserved it. I’m sure he’ll go well. If not today, he’ll get time to do that, because he’s such as quality player.
“It’s now a very long batting order. Hamish Marshall’s at seven so we’ve got the opportunity to be aggressive at the top and we can get another score up around the 300 mark.”
Fleming also revealed the BLACKCAPS will emphasise their slower bowling attack ahead of the World Cup.
“There’s change of attack. We’re going with the slow bowlers. Jeets (Patel) has come into the side and we've also got Dan (Vettori), Scotty Styris, Nath (Astle).
“We’ve still got the firepower on top with Millsy and Shane (Bond) but we’re expecting it to slow up and that’s what we’ve got to make use of.
“We’re looking forward to the World Cup and they’re similar conditions to what we’re going to get. We’re learning all the time, developing a side, which is good.”
BLACKCAPS: Lou Vincent, Stephen Fleming (captain), Nathan Astle, Ross Taylor, Peter Fulton, Scott Styris, Hamish Marshall, Brendon McCullum, Kyle Mills, Shane Bond, Daniel Vettori, Jeetan Patel.
West Indies: Shivnarine Chanderpaul (captain), Chris Gayle, Daren Ganga, Ramnaresh Sarwan, Runako Morton, Wavell Hinds, Dwayne Bravo, Dwayne Smith, Denesh Ramdin, Ian Bradshaw, Fidel Edwards, Deighton Butler.
