New Zealand are overwhelming favourites to capture the three-match series but Lara, riled by comments in the local media dismissing his side, warned the Kiwis against underestimating the visitors.

"I just thought it was a bit disrespectful for a country that has a greater cricketing history than their hosts," he said in New Zealand.

"We're so rich in our legacy and I felt a bit disrespected. If you put the West Indies up against New Zealand and you scrolled down the list, you'd see a country that had a greater cricketing history than yours," he said.

New Zealand thrashed the West Indies 4-1 in their five ODIs but both teams were playing down the significance of that series.

Former skipper Lara was missing from the West Indian team and the New Zealanders have not played a Test in seven months.

"There have been a lot of ODIs. So to play the purer form of the game is pretty exciting," New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said.

"There may be a little bit of rustiness, but I expect the guys to be excited and to be looking forward to the challenge," he said.

The West Indies have been steadily sliding down the pecking order since they dominated world cricket in the 1980s and remain in a prolonged slump, having lost 19 of their past 22 ODIs and 12 of their most recent 15 Tests.

They have lost each of their last six Tests, including three against Australia last year, but Lara said he could detect a changing mood.

"I sense that this three-Test series could be a turning point, and I sense--even in myself--a deep desire to win," he said.