KEY POINTS:
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.
Baker was in the Stanford Superstars squad for their US$20 million ($37.6 million) show against England, but didn't play. Still, the money can't have hurt.
He lived in England for several years, going to school in Hackney, East London, and played in the Birmingham League for Walmsley.
Leicestershire wanted to sign him for next year, but once called up by the West Indies had to be reclassified an overseas player even though he held a British passport, and became less appealing to the county.
This is his big chance to make an impact, although opportunities might be slim.
Daren Brent Lyle Powell
Born: 15/4/78 (Jamaica)
The old man of the quintet, who has 30 tests (73 wickets at 47.28) and 50 ODIs (63 at 32.57) behind him.
He began his cricket as a No 3 batsman and offspinner before discovering the delights of flinging the leather down hard. He can be sharp.
Powell made his test debut against New Zealand at Barbados in 2002 but it's been a stop-start career. He was useful at last year's World Cup - 13 wickets in nine games - but his real successes have been few and far between. For the West Indies' sake, he needs to deliver in New Zealand.
Fidel Henderson Edwards
Born: 6/2/82 (Barbados)
Nicknamed "Castro" - boom, boom - Edwards knows the countryside here too, from two years ago. He impressed at the Basin Reserve on that trip, taking five for 65.
His 34 tests have produced 95 wickets at 40.56; 39 ODIs have yielded 52 wickets at 28.
You'll recognise him from his distinctive hand-flapping-across-face routine upon taking a wicket.
He's also decidedly slippery, as several New Zealand batsmen can attest.
Edwards had a remarkable start to his career. He was reputedly spotted in the nets by Brian Lara having played one game for Barbados.
Lara liked what he saw of the tearaway with the round arm sling and Edwards responded immediately, taking five for 36 on debut against Sri Lanka at Sabina Park, Jamaica in 2003.
He took another five in his first test overseas and six in his ODI debut, both in Zimbabwe later that year.
Edwards has taken 20 wickets in his past four tests - three against Australia, one against Sri Lanka.
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.
