West Indies Confident Despite Chanderpaul Doubt

West Indies Confident Despite Chanderpaul Doubt

Shivnarine Chanderpaul is still an injury doubt for the West Indies.

©Action Images / Reuters / Andy Clark Picture Supplied by Action Images

The West Indies are confident of making a winning start to 2009 when they take on New Zealand in the second One Day International in Christchurch, although they may have to make do without star batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul.

The left-hander missed the opening match, which was washed out, with a hand injury and a decision will be taken shortly before the match begins on whether he will play.

“We are looking forward to a good deck (pitch) and we will be looking forward to a good match and a good start to 2009,” captain Chris Gayle said.

“The players are really pumped up and looking to go one-up. They [New Zealand] have a good line-up, but we know what our task is. We have to put the runs on the board and look to restrict them,” he added.

“We had a number of positives from the Test Series, the T20s and the first One-Day match in Queenstown, so we will look to build on that and approach this match with confidence.”

“The history down in Queenstown said it was not a high-scoring ground," head coach John Dyson added. "Up here it is a different kind of surface and the guys are really looking forward to it. The conditions are very good and the players are all aware of their roles. This is a good opportunity to make a positive start to the new year.”

© Cricket World 2008