Ready to finish the job

By Mark Richardson New Zealand opening batsman

When in Rome do as the Romans, when in the West Indies do as the West Indians - so after our first ever Test win in the Caribbean we sat in the dressing room and drank rum and plenty of it.

Coming from a lager culture, most of us were still complaining of being hung over two days later. Worth it though!

When your team makes history for your country it is a very special thing to be involved with.

From the moment we rolled them over for 107 in the first innings in Barbados, there was nothing else on our minds other than to be a part of the team that performed the deed.

The skipper's 130 was a great innings

New Zealand has had Test status for over 70 years and thus there are very few 'firsts' to achieve now, so a chance like that one is not to be underestimated.

Of course, you could always say that we beat a weak West Indies team, ripe for the picking.

There was no Greenidge, Haynes, Richards, Richardson, Lloyd, Holding, Garner, Marshall, Roberts, Walsh and Ambrose, who plundered and terrorised our teams in the 80s and 90s, but Lara, Hooper and Chanderpaul are a formidable middle order and their four seamers all bowl with reasonable pace and discipline.

New venue

Success in cricket is about making the most of your opportunities and we did on this occasion. Something to be proud of.

Grenada, the venue for the second Test, is not surprisingly another beautiful island.

It is unfortunate we only had two days between Tests. No surf this time, which is disappointing for a surf nut like myself, but that has been adequately replaced with diving and snorkelling.

The big wicket: Shane Bond castles Brian Lara

It is a first Test for this island and it would appear to be a big thing for the local government. It is not often you are greeted at customs and immigration with a band, drinks and a cooked breakfast.

The pitch preparation looks interesting too with it being absolutely soaking a day out from the start.

Given that it is two weeks into the wet season the groundsman obviously knows the weather intimately. Or is it that Hooper and coach Roger Harper have ordered up a result pitch?

On the subject of firsts, my duck in the second innings in Barbados was my first in my 20-Test career. It also put into perspective why blowing a good start - 40 in the first innings - in Test cricket is the silliest thing you can do.

So one more Test before a long break for me. It has been a while since I have played a major part in a win so I'm very motivated.

Head down, I'll see you at 150.