Cricket: Black Caps squander sneak peek at test pitch

Only Kane Williamson (pictured), who scored 55, and wicket-keeper Kruger van Wyk (34) can take any confidence into the match beginning on Thursday. Photo / Getty images.

As far as declarations of intent go, the one delivered by New Zealand's batsmen on day one of their tour match in Antigua is unlikely to cause much consternation.

Facing a president's XI on the same surface to be used in next week's first test against the West Indies, the Black Caps crumbled to 137-8 at stumps with a full-strength batting line-up.

Allowing New Zealand to spend three days on the wicket at Sir Viv Richards Stadium less than a week before the start of the test seemed generous hospitality in the extreme from the hosts.

But only Kane Williamson, who toiled away for almost four hours in compiling his 55, and wicket-keeper Kruger van Wyk (34) can take any confidence into the match beginning on Thursday.

The two shared in a face-saving seventh-wicket stand of 80 which, after the tourists had slumped to 54-6, prevented complete embarrassment against a second-string bowling unit.

Aside from opener Daniel Flynn's 14, no other Black Cap reached double figures in the rain-shortened day and, unless their bowlers can show similar penetration, the New Zealand batsmen will head into the start of the two-test series dangerously under-done.

The performance defied the message of patience preached by John Wright before the start of play, something van Wyk called imperative in the match and the rest of the tour.

"Patience is a massive word on this tour. You don't get a lot of value for shots as the wicket is really slow," he said. "Patience is a key word and we just have to show that."

It was conspicuous by its absence in the innings of New Zealand's most senior batsmen. Martin Guptill (5), Brendon McCullum (2) and Ross Taylor (0) all faced fewer than 10 balls at the crease, and Taylor's dismissal saw his side slump to 16-3.

The Black Caps never recovered, despite the best efforts of Williamson and van Wyk, but the wicket-keeper insisted there were positives to emerge from the rubble.

"I know it's an old cliche but I think there's a lot of good things we can take out of today," van Wyk said. "I think [Williamson] played really well and it's the sort of conditions where you just have to learn that the longer you can stay out there the easier things get.

"I'm sure over the next two days we will improve."

Van Wyk was adamant the opportunity to experience the test venue so soon before the match commences was invaluable for the tourists.

"It's good to be out in the middle at the same venue where we will be playing the test. There's no better preparation than what we've got at the moment.

"It's really important to not get to anxious about using it, but you want to use it and get something really positive out of the next two days moving into the test."

The 32-year-old South African ex-pat, who looks set to retain the test gloves ahead of BJ Watling, also thought the New Zealand bowlers would enjoy the preparation when they get their chance.

"They're going to have to bat on the same wicket and it will deteriorate as the game goes on. We've got Daniel Vettori and Tarun Nethula and I look forward to seeing those blokes bowl on this wicket."