Windies gear up for NZ series

CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (CMC):

THE WEST Indies have brushed aside their problems with travel visas and are getting down to business as they prepare for their series of two Tests, five one-day internationals and two Twenty20 Internationals against New Zealand.

The West Indies arrived in the country on Wednesday, and team operations manager, Omar Khan, said the players were upbeat and fully focused on the challenge ahead of them in the coming weeks.

"Everyone has settled in and we are looking forward to the matches ahead," Khan said.

"We are moving ahead with the preparations for what will be a very important tour. The first match is a week away, so we have time for all the players to get fully ready for the series," he said.

Since arriving in Christchurch, the players have had a few sessions to get acclimatised to the conditions, and they have also had a net session under the instruction of head coach John Dyson.

Things going well

Newcomers Brendan Nash and Leon Johnson were also getting into stride on their first full tour with the regional side, and they are hoping to get opportunities in the upcoming series.

"We had a good day out and everything is going smoothly," Nash said. "We had a 'hit' and it would good to bet into that zone."

Johnson added: "Things are going well. I had a good work out and I'm looking forward to the series."

The West Indies' opening fixture will be a three-day match against Auckland, starting next Friday.