CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (CMC)

A decision on whether top West Indies batsman Shivnarine Chanderpaul will suit up for tomorrow's second One-Day International against New Zealand will be made on match day.

The plucky left-hander, who missed the abandoned opening ODI at Queenstown because of a hand injury, has been undergoing treatment ever since and team officials have indicated that a final assessment on his fitness will only be made prior to the crucial match at the AMI Stadium.

Chanderpaul will be a crucial player to a middle order that capitulated in a rained-out match on Wednesday, with West Indies labouring to 129 for five in the 36th over after losing the toss.

The tourists arrived here in South Island's coastal city on Thursday (Wednesday, eastern Caribbean time) and began their preparation for the second ODI with a gym-and-pool session. They will undertake their first practice session today.