DUNEDIN, New Zealand (CMC):

THE WEST Indies begin their mission to hold on to the number seven spot in the World Test rankings this evening (Ja time) when the opening Test of two against New Zealand begins at the University Oval.

Through no effort of their own, the West Indies moved out of the 'figurative' basement of Tests when New Zealand continued a chronic slide that culminated in them being swept in their preceding two-Test series in neighbouring Australia.

Not much separate the two sides, and it is shaping up to be a contest which will ultimately decide the holder of the 'wooden spoon' in Tests.

Even match

"We're up against a good team and you have to say it is even-Stevens," said West Indies captain Chris Gayle. "We are evenly matched. This tour can signal the possibility of us turning the corner. The two teams are evenly matched and the Test matches will be very vital for us."

The West Indies have not won a Test series in New Zealand in 12 years and it is their batting which has been the letdown in the three series they have contested in that time.

Gayle acknowledged that conditions would be unfamiliar and he believes the players will have to learn quickly about how to cope.

"Whatever comes ... have to deal with it," he said. "The ball will swing and most of us have been playing for some time now, so we have to use our skill and experience to deal with the New Zealand bowlers. It is nothing new. We just have to face what they send down."

New Zealand will draw confidence from their record against the visitors in Tests since 1999. They have won five out of seven Tests the two sides have contested in this period to formalise three consecutive series wins.

But, they fully understand another series defeat - and to a struggling side like West Indies - will have far-reaching implications.

"We know what we did over (in Australia) wasn't good enough," vice-captain Brendon McCullum said. "We have got high expectations on ourselves to perform and we are our harshest critics. You get some sprays in the media but that's nothing to what you're feeling within yourself."

He noted that the Black Caps had learnt a few harsh lessons from their trip across the Tasman and they hoped to take things out on the West Indies.

"The beauty of playing against Australia is that you are battle-hardened, regardless of whether you go down in the manner we did," he said. "We have still come up against the best in the business so there will be some sort of edge."

The wicketkeeper/batsman also mentioned that the Black Caps are hoping to prosper from West Indies' lack of five-day action.

New Zealand have played four Tests in the past two months - including a two-Test series in Bangladesh - and the West Indies may be a out of touch having playing their most recent Test series earlier this year against the Aussies.

Squads

NEW ZEALAND (from): Daniel Vettori (captain), Daniel Flynn, James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Jamie How, Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, Iain O'Brien, Jacob Oram, Jeetan Patel, Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor.

WEST INDIES (from): Chris Gayle (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh Jr, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.