The Test series was a disappointment for the West Indies, and that is a kind word to use to describe their performance in the 2-0 loss to New Zealand.
However, West Indies, the modern-day West Indies, have always been a better-looking unit in coloured clothes, and with a fresh captain - Dwayne Bravo -- coming to the fore, without carrying the scars of that Test series defeat, the side from the Caribbean will look for redemption when they take on New Zealand in a five-match ODI series, starting with the first one-day international on Boxing Day in Auckland.
"There are tough decisions to be made by the coach and the director of cricket, some careers are on the line, could be mine as well, you never know," Test captain Darren Sammy said after the loss in the third Test. "We cannot continue like this. In any organisation, you need to show graft and commitment. The coach keeps saying if we do the same thing, don't expect a different result.
"Watch us play when we play well and people say wow, things are moving forward, but it's two steps forward, then three or four backwards."
Bravo, coach Otis Gibson hopes, will bring a fresh approach, something desperately needed to lift the gloom around the players. "Dwayne brings his own energies," he said. "Sometimes what is going on in the Tests can drain the players, it can have a drain on the captain as well. Having a new figure head in the one-dayers, and some new players, means we aren't taking too much baggage into the series."
West Indies, however, will be missing three key players of their one-day unit, with Marlon Samuels joining Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard in being ruled out of the series.
"Chris Gayle, Samuels and Pollard are three of our better players, we can't hide that," Bravo said. "We're definitely going to miss them, because they are three world-class players and despite the talent we have, I don't think any of us can actually fit those shoes.
"For me as a captain, I'm going to miss their ability as well as their experience, but it's a good opportunity for other players, they get an opportunity now to make a name for themselves and try to stamp their authority. They're definitely going to be missed, but I'm not going to use it as an excuse if we don't play well. If we play to our true potential, we're going to do well."
For New Zealand, always competitive in limited-overs cricket, it will be all about taking the momentum from a dominating series win, and piling further misery on an already beleaguered West Indies side.
Where to Watch Live
The 1st ODI is scheduled for a 6.30 am IST start with live coverage on Neo Prime in India. There is no official live streaming option available in India, but viewers in the US can catch all the action via live streaming courtesy Watch ESPN HERE.
