West Indies coach, Phil Simmons, says it’s important that his players adjust to conditions quickly as they embark on the challenge of winning their first series in New Zealand in 25 years.
After a 50-hour journey from the Caribbean, they arrived in New Zealand on Friday where they are in 14-day isolation. They will be allowed to begin daily training sessions at their Sports Managed Isolation Facility on today.
The West Indies will play two Test and three One Day Internationals against the Black Caps and Simmons says the key to success is how the players navigate the acclimatization process.
In a Zoom press conference, Simmons noted that the real challenge is adapting to the environment. The Trinidadian said although geographically close, New Zealand is very different from Australia and also different from England where the West Indies played their last series.
Simmons said it’s good that the team arrived early which will give adequate time adequate to make the adjustment.
“We know New Zealand is going to be tough, it’s going to be hard cricket, but as long as we get the right preparation over the next four weeks, hopefully we’ll be ready.”
The tour, which is being contested amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, is the second series under bio-secure conditions for West Indies this year after last July’s three Test series in England which they lost 2-1.