Darren Powell. Photo / Dean Purcell

Darren Powell. Photo / Dean Purcell

Think of past West Indies touring teams and the ghosts live on. Wes Hall, Charlie Griffith, Andy Roberts, Joel Garner, Michael Holding, Colin Croft, Malcolm Marshall, Courtney Walsh, Curtly Ambrose. Names to send a shiver down batting spines.

They've long gone. So what of the future? The West Indies have arrived in New Zealand with five fast bowlers for the two tests and tour opener against Auckland starting at Eden Park today.

Three were here in 2006, but two are new. Pace like fire was the old motto. The current breed have some way to go to be mentioned in the same breath as the greats but they've certainly got plenty to aim at.

Kemar Andre Jamal Roach

Born: 30/6/88 (Barbados)

The nipper of the fast quintet, Roach was a member of the West Indies under-19 squad and has played just four first-class games, taking seven wickets at 30.5.

He has taken three wickets from his two ODIs against Bermuda and Canada in August.

Roach is very much a work in progress, but "he's got a bit of pace, sharpish, and he can bat as well", according to coach John Dyson.


Jerome Everton Taylor

Born: 22/6/84 (Jamaica)

Early on Taylor was seen as the next bright young quick.

He made his debut against Sri Lanka at 18 in 2003, having been identified as the most promising fast bowler in the Carib Beer domestic competition.

His 20 tests have produced 63 wickets at 34.69; 82 wickets have come from 53 ODIs at 26.46.

Taylor's only test against New Zealand was at Auckland in 2006.

But he's in good nick. He snared 19 wickets in his past four tests against Sri Lanka and Australia.


Lionel Sionne Baker

Born: 6/9/84 (Leeward Islands)

Baker has an immediate claim to fame: he's Montserrat's first West Indian representative.

He has played just three ODIs, for five wickets, making his debut in the recent series against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi where "he bowled particularly well," according to coach John Dyson. Baker has played 11 first-class matches for 18 wickets.