West Indies' Jerome Taylor hits a boundary for six in front of the New Zealand wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum, on the fourth day of the first international cricket Test at University Oval, Dunedin, New Zealand, yesterday. - AP

NAPIER, New Zealand (CMC)

Buoyed by their spirited revival in the first Test and more suitable temperatures for the second and final match in the short series, West Indies tackle New Zealand at McLean Park with high hopes on Friday (starting this evening local time).

Both sides looked evenly matched in the rain-ruined drawn match in Dunedin last weekend and there is a lot at stake in this fixture.

The Caribbean side, for more than a decade trying unsuccessfully to resuscitate their flagging performances in international cricket, will be chasing their first series win over the Black Caps in 12 years.

New Zealand were displaced by the Windies for the No.7 spot in the International Cricket Council's Test Ratings early this month and their pride would be further dented with a home loss in this series between the lowest-ranked of all the 'elite' Test-playing countries.

Deciding factor

West Indies batting ace and former captain, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, believes limiting errors will be the deciding factor for the Caribbean side.

"The key for us will be to try and eliminate our mistakes. That will be key. Once we do that we should be in a good position," said Chanderpaul, who was West Indies captain on their last New Zealand tour.

The prolific left-hander took positives from their effort in uncomfortably chilly conditions in the Dunedin Test and he is hopeful they can do well in this vital match.

"This will be a very important Test match for us. We played pretty well in the first Test match and we will be looking to do the same in the second match here in Napier," he said.

"From the experience we had here the last time, the pitch played pretty well. I had a look at it and there is a bit of grass. It should be a good pitch but whether it is good or not we have to go out there and play well. New Zealand has a good line-up, with players who can get good scores and they are at home," added Chanderpaul, who is now No. 3 on the all-time list of West Indies Test scorers.

Chanderpaul scored 76 at University Oval in the first Test to move ahead of the legendary Sir Garfield Sobers on the West Indies all-time list. He climbed to 8,077 runs - above Sir Garfield's 8,032 - to only trail Brian Lara (11,953 runs) and Sir Vivian Richards (8,540) and his form and consistency are valuable tools for the Caribbean side.

Injury worries

While West Indies are reporting a fully fit squad, New Zealand are bothered by injury worries over key batsman Ross Taylor and the all-rounder James Franklin. Taylor has a dislocated finger and Franklin has bruised ribs, suffered when he was struck by a short Fidel Edwards delivery in the first Test.

Peter Fulton is on standby for Taylor, while Chris Martin is Franklin's back-up; but the home side is banking on Taylor and Franklin getting through fitness tests.

The big all-rounder Jacob Oram will again be missing due to a calf strain that forced him to withdraw at the last minute before the first Test.

After the Black Caps compiled a first innings 365 in the opening Test, West Indies replied with 340, thanks to a stunning maiden Test century by fast bowler Jerome Taylor that helped rally the Caribbean side from an unsteady 173 for six.

Taylor (106) and Chanderpaul (76) added 153 for the seventh wicket and Chanderpaul is encouraged by Taylor's form, praising the No. 8 batsman's compelling knock that contained 17 fours and three sixes.

"He played a fantastic innings. It was unbelievable. I was standing there at the other end just watching and enjoying it," Chanderpaul said. "He was playing his shots and it worked for him."