Windies have a plan for Wagner

The West Indies won’t claim that they’ve worked out Neil Wagner.

But coach Stuart Law thinks he’s seen enough signs that they can dent the effectiveness of New Zealand’s most productive test bowler of recent seasons.

Wagner destroyed the West Indian batting in New Zealand’s first test win in Wellington with his trademark short-pitched attack, taking 7-39 and finishing with match figures of 9-141.

‘‘We combated him very well in the second innings,’’ Law said yesterday.

‘‘He bowled the same sort of stuff and he was going at 10, 11 runs an over there at one stage.

‘‘We sat down and worked out a plan which wasn’t the same plan for everybody. It was an individual plan – some guys are comfortable taking it on, some guys aren’t quite as comfortable. But what we did in the second innings showed that we can learn quickly.

‘‘It’s not so much go out there and take him down; it’s be aggressive in your mindset, be clear in your mindset and execute properly.’’

Law also wants his side to build more regular batting partnerships after a number of collapses at the Basin Reserve.

‘‘When we do happen to lose wickets, we tend to lose wickets in clumps. We talk about it quite often. We don’t want to do that, obviously.

‘‘Our bowling, I’d like to see us being a little more aggressive, we’ve got some good pace, we’ve got some quality swing and seam bowling. Batting – we can get 40s and 60s, but they don’t win you games – 140s and 160s is where you want to be.’’

Law said the first-test victors were formidable opponents.

‘‘New Zealand always punch well above their weight.

‘‘They’ve got some quality players now and they’ve got good strength in their depth as well.

‘‘The guys that take the field, they tend to grow a little bit taller and stronger and bigger and fight very hard for what they’ve got. We’ve got to match their intensity, their passion and desire.

‘‘If we can do that – and I am sure we can – we can give a great account of ourselves.’’