New Zealand missing stars bank on seamers

New Zealand will begin their summer tour of the Caribbean with a warm-up match against a Jamaica XI at the expansive Trelawny Multi-Purpose Stadium beginning at 10 a.m. today, and head coach Mike Hesson is expecting a thorough workout ahead of the first Test at Sabina Park.

"We are not yet at full strength because a number of our players are still with their clubs in the Indian Premier League," Hesson said, "but we are taking this match seriously, as we want to be match-ready when the Tests comes around."

The Black Caps are missing skipper Brendan McCallum, Corey Anderson, Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor when they take on the Jamaicans over two days of action.

He said acclimatisation has been going well since arriving and that all the players were ready for the challenge of playing the Jamaicans, and has identified the fast-bowling department as his team's strength.