How well the West Indies perform in the Test series against New Zealand next month is likely to be decided by their batsmen.
Jermaine Blackwood Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The tourists are currently in isolation in Christchurch and play three T20 internationals at the end of the month before a two Test series.
They know the pressure is on the batsmen who have failed to impress in recent years.
Assistant coach Roddy Estwick says the batsmen have been working on the technical flaws that were shown up in England in July.
They won the opening Test there before struggling in the next two to lose the series.
The West Indies have the experienced Kraigg Brathwaite at the top of the order, while Darren Bravo returns having missed the England series.
They have often relied on their middle order to prop up an innings and Estwick says the batsmen will have to remain patient against a quality New Zealand pace attack.
"You look at Boult, Southee, Wagner and the key thing is that the openers have to give us a good start because the ball will swing for a few overs and you've got to make sure you ride that swing out and you lay a platform for the rest of the line-up."
In the last three years the West Indies have played 18 Tests managing to score more than 300 in just seven innings while batsmen managed just eight centuries in that time.
Kraigg Brathwaite Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Estwick says with three bowlers ranked in the top fifteen, the batsmen need to provide the runs to allow their bowlers to attack.
"We've got to get big scores and they've got to go on and get big hundreds and once we can get a score we can become very competitive."
"We've got to be up for the fight, we've got to be prepared to stay in the contest for as long as possible and once the opening comes we've got to grab it with both hands."
Estwick says the batters have to think about the team and not just themselves.
He says the Black Caps bowling line-up is impressive in home conditions and its up to his batters to take self responsibility.
"We know we're going to get a lot of short balls here in New Zealand, that's part of their game plan where Wagner coming in and they'll set up the short ball for you, so we've got to be up for the challenge but everybody has to find a way how they're going to play, you've got to be up for a fight here in New Zealand, there's no finding place and you've go to be ready.
The first T20 international is at Eden Park on November 27th, followed by two at Bay Oval and then the Test matches in Hamilton and Wellington.
