The West Indies cricket team have a new strength and conditioning coach.

He is Steve Folkes, the legendary Australian Rugby League player and coach, who has joined the Windies as they get ready for the upcoming series in New Zealand.

Folkes has made the switch from coach of the Bulldogs in Australia.

Since linking up with the Windies in Christchurch he has had a hands-on approach, working closely with all the players.

The Windies had fitness and net sessions on Friday at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval and had a similar session on Saturday as part of the build-up for the upcoming series of two Tests, two Twenty/20 internationals and five One-Day Internationals.

"I can remember going to the cricket ground in Australia and watching Sir Garry Sobers, Wes Hall, Rohan Kanhai, Roy Fredericks and other great West Indies players. Naturally I got autographs from them all, so I understand that West Indies have a very proud and successful heritage. I will do my part to have a positive environment, good team atmosphere and good team culture," Folkes said.

"My football career showed that I'm a winner and I know that the Windies are eighth in the world rankings right now, so I will do all I can to help to push that up and bring a winning attitude and positive drive."

Folkes said he felt comfortable from the get-go. "Things are going really well. The sport is different from what I'm used to but the guys have been welcoming and we managed to do some decent sessions over the last few days. It's pretty good," he said.

"The switch from rugby league cricket is a bit different. My background is in strength and conditioning and then I went to coaching. The sports are different and the needs are different so I just need to adjust. I will learn by watching and I have spoken to (head coach) John Dyson and sought his advice."

Fixtures

Friday, December 5 to Sunday, December 7: v Auckland at Eden Park Outer Oval

Thursday, December 11 to Monday, December 15: First Test at University Oval, Dunedin

Friday December 19 to Tuesday, December 23: Second Test at McLean Park, Napier

Friday, December 26: First Twenty/20 International at Eden Park, Auckland

Sunday, December 28: Second Twenty/20 International at Seddon Park, Hamilton

Wednesday, December 31: First ODI at Queenstown Event Centre, Queenstown

Saturday, January 3: Second ODI 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

Squad: Chris Gayle (captain), Ramnaresh Sarwan (vice-captain), Lionel Baker, Carlton Baugh Jnr, Sulieman Benn, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Sewnarine Chattergoon, Fidel Edwards, Leon Johnson, Xavier Marshall, Brendan Nash, Daren Powell, Denesh Ramdin, Kemar Roach, Jerome Taylor.