CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand – West Indies are confident of making a winning start to 2009 when they face New Zealand in the second One-Day International at AMI Stadium, Christchurch today.

The first match at Queenstown was rained off after 35.4 overs.

Windies skipper Chris Gayle said his side were feeling upbeat and urged the players to be bold in their approach when they take to the field in the day/night encounter.

"We are looking forward to a good deck (pitch) and we will be looking forward to a good match and a good start to 2009," Gayle said after yesterday's training session at the Lincoln High Performance Centre.

"The players are really pumped up and looking to go one-up. They (New Zealand) have a good line-up but we know what our task is. We have to put the runs on the board and look to restrict them," added Gayle, who is ranked number five on the ICC's One-Day batting charts, and at number three among all-rounders.

"We had a number of positives from the Test Series, the Twenty/20s and the first One-Day match in Queenstown, so we will look to build on that and approach this match with confidence."

Head coach John Dyson agreed with Gayle and noted his players were looking forward to today's encounter and the three matches which follow.

"The history down in Queenstown said it was not a high-scoring ground. Up here it is a different kind of surface and the guys are really looking forward to it. The conditions are very good and the players are all aware of their roles. This is a good opportunity to make a positive start to the new year."

Batting star Shivnarine Chanderpaul – the ICC International Cricketer of the Year – missed the first ODI due to soreness between the thumb and first finger on his left hand.

Dyson said Chanderpaul had been receiving treatment and a decision on his selection was due to be made shortly before the start.

Upcoming matches

Today: SecondODI at AMI Stadium, Christchurch

Wednesday, January 7: Third ODI at Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Saturday January 10: Fourth ODI at Eden Park, Auckland

Tuesday, January 13: Fifth ODI at McLean Park, Napier