<\/p>\r\n\r\n
New Zealand batting talisman Kane Williamson returns to the Test arena for the first time in a year to bolster the hosts' line-up in the first Test against the West Indies in Christchurch, which begins Tuesday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The 35-year-old sat out New Zealand's only other Tests this year -- a 2-0 series win in Zimbabwe in August -- but has a formidable Test record against the West Indies.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
From seven home innings he averages 72.57 while over 10 innings in the West Indies the figure is an impressive 51.33.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
One of the greatest batsmen of his generation, Williamson has a career average of 54.88 from 105 Tests, with 33 centuries.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
He scored 156 against England in his last Test innings at Hamilton in December last year.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
West Indies captain Roston Chase said Monday there was only one way to quell Williamson.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"Patience. I would say the most important thing is patience," Chase said as his West Indies team went through their final practice.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The West Indies face a monumental task. They have not won a Test in New Zealand since 1995 and lost both the Twenty20 and ODI series last month.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We want that win," said Chase, who believes his side can end that 30-year win drought.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"We don't want to be on the bad side of history all the time.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"I mean, we fought well in the two white-ball series and I just think if we can learn a bit faster and adapt a bit fast, especially with problem solving, we can get over the line with the red ball for sure."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
While the Test opens New Zealand's campaign in the new edition of the World Test Championship, the West Indies have already played five in recent months without success, losing 3-0 to Australia and 2-0 to India.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
The recent lack of five-day cricket for New Zealand, whose previous outing before Zimbabwe was that home series against England a year ago, did not faze captain Tom Latham.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"For us it's about trying to hit the ground running and try to get into the mode of Test cricket as quick as we can," he said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
"And if we do that, hopefully that gives us a good chance at the back end of the match."<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Christchurch's Hagley Oval presented a green wicket on the eve of the Test Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
It led Latham to predict that "it will be no different" to previous Tests at the venue where the team that wins the toss elects to bowl first.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
<\/p>\r\n\r\n
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