New Zealand will have to watch out for their batting woes if they want to excel against West Indies in the first Test.

The two teams clash in Dunedin from Thursday for a two-Test series.

The Kiwis were whitewashed 2-0 by Australia after Daniel Vettori's batsmen failed to deliver at the top of the order. They might well face similar problems against the Windies bowlers.

New Zealand may miss the services of all-rounder Jacob Oram, who might have to sit out because of injury. In this scenario, Vettori will have to fill in the slot of the specialist all-rounder in the team.

The opening combination of Jamie How and Tim McIntosh will be under severe pressure to deliver from Thursday.

Also, under scrutiny will be newly appointed coach Andy Moles, who took over from John Bracewell recently.

The West Indies are not in a better position either. Chris Gayle's team were whipped 3-0 in the three match ODI series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi.

However, with Gayle, Shivnarine Chanderpaul and Ramnaresh Sarwan in the team, the Windies will feel they have that extra cushion going into the Test.

New Zealand (from) Jamie How, Tim McIntosh, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum (wk), Daniel Vettori (capt), James Franklin, Mark Gillespie, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel.

West Indies (from) Chris Gayle (capt), Ramnaresh Sarwan, Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin (wk), Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.