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West Indies captain Carl Hooper admitted to one major concern yesterday on the eve of the first Cable & Wireless Test against New Zealand and it was far more relevant than his World Cup choice, Brazil, being knocked out even before he tosses the coin at Kensington Oval this morning.

When you look at the team in the last game [Sunday's One-Day International in St Vincent against the New Zealanders], the way we bowled and fielded, you can sense the guys are tired and beginning to flag a little bit, he said.

His fear was two opposing batsmen getting stuck in and batting well for a session. In such a scenario, he sensed it would be easy to chuck it in, adding ominously that you might see things beginning to crack.

These are things we've got to guard against; these are things that, as captain, I'm worried about.

His qualms are the consequence of the protracted international season that began in Sharjah in late January with two Tests and three One-Dayers against Pakistan.

It has continued in the Caribbean with five Tests and three One-Day Internationals against India and five more internationals against New Zealand. The two upcoming back-to-back Tests bring it to a merciful close.

We've got tired legs and, while you want to remain loyal and go with those who've been doing it for you this season, at the same time I think you've got to be honest and open and realise that some guys are struggling.

The last thing you want to do is put them in a Test match when they can't give you what they need really, he added.

In the circumstances, Cameron Cuffy, at 32 the oldest member of the attack, has been omitted on the official grounds that he is jaded, and Darren Powell, the 24-year-old Jamaican flown back from the 'A' team's tour of England on Wednesday, chosen to make his Test debut as one of the four fast bowlers.

Mahendra Nagamootoo, the leg-spinner and useful lower order left-handed batsman, was named in the 12 from whom the starting 11 will be chosen but is likely to remain in the dressing room with Cuffy and Ryan Hinds.

After a long season, you need somebody to inject a bit of new life into the side, Hooper said.

The captain was enthusiastic over Powell, noting he had bowled with with a lot of fire and a lot of pace at yesterday's practice.

Obviously, he's looking to impress, Hooper added. He wants to play and he's hungry.

So Powell is set to become the latest of the several fast bowlers tried in recent times and is likely to share the new ball with Merv Dillon who passed a final fitness test on the lower back strain that required a week's rest after the fourth One-Dayer against the Kiwis.

The West Indies triumphed 2-1 over India the Test series before losing 2-1 in the shorter matches. They bring the psychological advantage of a 3-1 margin over New Zealand in the One-Day Internationals.

New Zealand have not won a Test in the Caribbean on three previous tours. They drew all five in 1972, lost two and drew two in 1985, and lost one and drew one in 1996.

They come this time as favourites, with emphatic victories over the West Indies in their last series in late 1999 in New Zealand and rated at No. 3 on the current International Cricket Council Test standings, three higher than the West Indies.

© The Barbados Nation