World champions West Indies take on the Blackcaps this week with high hopes of improving their lowly world ranking in the T20 format.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Andre Fletcher believes this tour will spark his side's rise back up the rankings, as they begin preparations for the 2021 T20 World Cup in India.
"We will continue being positive, playing our brand of cricket,” Fletcher says. “Sometimes it's tough winning two World Cups and being ranked No.9 is off balance, but we will get back up there and keep playing our brand of cricket."
The West Indies are a side that love entertaining large crowds and are excited to play in front of rowdy spectators again.
They have played three test matches against England since COVID-19 forced a cricket hiatus around the world. All those matches were played in empty stadiums and the travelling side look forward to showcasing their skills in front of the Eden Park faithful.
"It will be the first time playing in front of a big crowd,” says Fletcher. “We know the crowd will be cheering on for New Zealand, but it will be a great atmosphere."
"We are very excited to get out on the park. We have prepared a lot and we know what we can do, so we are just waiting for Friday and letting the rest take care of itself."
West Indies are the only team to have won two T20 World Cups, but recent results haven't been kind, winning only two of their last five T20 series, including losses to Afghanistan and a drawn series against Ireland.
But the Caribbean side will have some confidence, as the Blackcaps are on a similar run, losing their last seven T20 outings. Fletcher hopes his side can extend the misery and win their first T20 series victory in New Zealand.
"It's a game that we cannot predict, so hopefully we can make them lose these three games.
"We are ready, we haven't won a series in New Zealand, but hopefully we can change that around."
Join us at 7pm Friday for live updates of the first Blackcaps v West Indies T20
