WELLINGTON: The West Indies won the toss and put New Zealand into bat in the deciding second and final Test at Seddon Park in Hamilton on Saturday.
The tourists need to win the match to square the series after New Zealand comprehensively won the first Test in Wellington by an innings and 67 runs.
The pitch, which had been covered in recent days to prevent it over-cooking in an ongoing Hamilton heatwave, was more brown than is customary in New Zealand.
Both West Indies skipper Kraigg Brathwaite and New Zealand captain Kane Williamson said it was obviously ripe to bowl first.
"It's a bit firmer than usual when we do play here, it should do a bit early on," Williamson said.
New Zealand have built a healthy record at Seddon Park where they have won three and drawn one of their past four Tests, including an eight-wicket win over the West Indies four years ago.
Both sides have made one change from the first Test.
Left-arm allrounder Raymon Reifer will make his debut for the West Indies, replacing regular captain Jason Holder who has been suspended for an overs violation, and swing bowler Tim Southee returns from paternity leave to replace Matt Henry.
New Zealand: Tom Latham, Jeet Raval, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, Henry Nicholls, Tom Blundell, Mitchell Santner, Colin de Grandhomme, Neil Wagner, Tim Southee, Trent Boult
West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite (capt), Kieran Powell, Shimron Hetmyer, Shai Hope, Roston Chase, Sunil Ambris, Shane Dowrich, Raymon Reifer, Kemar Roach, Miguel Cummins, Shannon Gabriel
Umpires: Rod Tucker (AUS), Bruce Oxenford (AUS)
TV umpire: Ian Gould (ENG)
Match referee: Chris Broad (ENG)
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