BRIDGETOWN, Barbados (CMC):

West Indies coach Ottis Gibson says several performances in the Regional first class season has offered hope the regional side can make amends for last year's poor showing in New Zealand, when the Black Caps arrive in the Caribbean later this month.

The Windies were completely outplayed in the three Test series late last year to lose 2-0. They were also facing certain defeat in the opening Test before rain intervened, to force a draw.

Gibson said it was important the Windies turned the page on that series and showed what they were capable of as a batting unit.

"It's good to see a lot of hundreds coming from a lot of places because that's indicative of good batsmanship in the region and that's what's required at the next level," Gibson told the Sunday Sun newspaper.

"We haven't performed well as a batting group recently in Test cricket and we need to look at that. Plus, when last we went to New Zealand we let ourselves down a bit especially in that aspect so I think on our home patch now it's important that we show that what happened there is not the way we want to play cricket.

a clear idea

"But I've had several meetings with [Director of Cricket] Richard Pybus and he has a clear idea where he "wants to take the cricket."

New Zealand arrive in the Caribbean at month end and will play three Tests and two Twenty20 Internationals, in a tour running from May 29 to July 6. West Indies are expected to embark on a training camp here within a fortnight.