New Zealand Blackcaps coach Rob Walter Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Black Caps coach Rob Walter doesn't expect his side to have any problems slipping back into Test match mode in the first Test against West Indies starting in Christchurch on Tuesday.
Walter is preparing for his first home Test series since taking over the role in January.
New Zealand has played just two Test matches so far in 2025, beating Zimbabwe 2-0 in Bulawayo in August.
Since then they've played 17 white-ball games against Australia, England and West Indies.
"The team is clear in their test match identity, they've done incredibly well as a unit, so just to fall back into that," Walter said on the eve of the three match series.
New Zealand is ranked fifth in the World Test rankings, with West Indies eighth.
Kane Williamson returns to the side for the Test series.
The Black Caps beat West Indies 3-1 in the T20 series and 3-0 in the ODI series.
While those results may have looked convincing, Walter admits they were close and expects even more from the tourists in the longest version of the game.
"They've got a really good seam attack, some dangerous batters and can bat for long periods of time so from a team point of view [we have to] respect the game of cricket and be prepared for the contest."
New Zealand's Kane Williamson celebrates his century against England, Hamilton, 2024. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Walter said the key is to play the game they want to play.
Of the 14 Tests played at Hagley Oval only once has the side winning the toss decided to bat first.
"Traditionally Hagley plays a certain way and so while we have a strong idea of most likely how it will play I still think our best skill is our adaptability.
"We'll prepare with something in mind but we know the game of cricket can easily throw something at you that you're not ready for so we need to be ready and adapt to that."
This series also marks the start of the Black Caps cycle in the latest World Test Championship.
"Winning at home is important, but it is not the be all and end all because we have started to see how teams can win away from home.
"If there are any conditions you do understand you trust it to be your own so we'll be looking to start strong and lay down an marker early in the World Test Championship."
BLACKCAPS squad for Test Series v West Indies
Tom Latham (c) Canterbury
Tom Blundell (wk) Wellington Firebirds
Michael Bracewell Wellington Firebirds
Devon Conway Wellington Firebirds
Jacob Duffy Otago Volts
Zak Foulkes Canterbury
Matt Henry Canterbury
Daryl Mitchell Canterbury
Rachin Ravindra Wellington Firebirds
Mitchell Santner Northern Districts
Nathan Smith Wellington Firebirds
Blair Tickner Central Stags
Kane Williamson Northern Districts
Will Young Central Stags
1st Test NZ v West Indies, Hagley Oval, 2-6 Dec
2nd Test NZ v West Indies, Basin Reserve, 10-14 Dec
3rd Test NZ v West Indies, Bay Oval, 18-22 Dec
