Windies will be pinning hopes on a returning Chris Gayle to inspire its batting line-up ahead in the three-match One-Day International series against New Zealand starting in Whangarei on Wednesday.

The visiting side lost both Test matches in the two-Test series before the ODIs, and Gayle’s addition is expected to reinforce a somewhat faltering top order, says an ICC press release.

Gayle is arriving fresh off a record-breaking innings in the final of the Bangladesh Premier League, where he smashed 18 sixes while scoring 146 not out off 69 balls to lead his side to the title. His presence at the top of the order promises to inject aggression and confidence for Windies.

Lockie Ferguson, the New Zealand paceman, said the home side was well aware of the threat the left-hand batsman from Jamaica poses. However, Ferguson felt Gayle would need time to adjust to local conditions in the opening ODI at Whangarei’s Cobham Oval.

He said New Zealand’s new-ball combination of Tim Southee and Trent Boult would be aiming for an early breakthrough.

‘Our opening bowlers are extremely good at swinging the ball, so I think there’s definitely a challenge for him there,’ said Ferguson. ‘Of course, if he gets going, then he’s one of those world-class batters who can go a long time and score lots of runs.’

Windies, ninth in the ODI rankings, will be without several key players who have all been laid low by injury, including batsmen Marlon Samuels (finger) and Sunil Ambris (broken arm) as well as pacer Alzarri Joseph (back).

New Zealand, ranked fifth in the world, is also dealing with missing personnel, with Martin Guptill out with an injured hamstring and Colin de Grandhomme pulling out of the series after the death of his father.

Kane Williamson, the regular captain, and Southee, will only play the first ODI and be rested for the remainder of the series, with Tom Latham set to lead New Zealand in the last two ODIs.

Teams (from):

New Zealand: Kane Williamson (capt), Todd Astle, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Henry, Tom Latham (wk), Adam Milne, Colin Munro, Henry Nicholls, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, George Worker, Neil Broom, Mitchell Santner.

Windies: Jason Holder (capt), Jason Mohammed, Shimron Hetmyer, Ronsford Beaton, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope (wk), Sheldon Cottrell, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams