The Black Caps have won the ODI series against the West Indies, after the final ODI in Napier was shortened due (once again) to rain. Under the deeply confusing Duckworth Lewis system, the Black Caps won the ODI by six runs - ending up on 211/5 in the 36th over before the rain caused the end of play.

The West Indies started the day in absolutely devastating form, with Chris Gayle and Shivnarine Chanderpaul spearheading the attack as the Windies piled on 293 runs. Gayle smashed his way to yet another ODI century, finally being dismissed for 135, while Chanderpaul fell six runs short of 100.

Brendon McCullum and Jessie Ryder got New Zealand's run chase off to a good start, and was carried on by Martin Guptill, fresh off his record setting 122* in Auckland, and Ross Taylor, who was left stranded on 48.

Both captains agreed to call the match off, effectively giving the Black Caps the series. It's not the ideal way to win a series, but it really does sum up how the West Indies' tour has gone - wet and miserable.

So, what can the Black Caps take out of the West Indies series? Well, perhaps surprisingly, quite a lot.

Firstly, the concern over our lack of strike bowlers at the top of the innings. Kyle Mills is without doubt our best on offer at the moment, and while he has produced some good form lately, he does have a tendency to follow up a good game with a pretty average one. Mark Gillespie has the pace to lead our attack, but his accuracy is a worry. He is better suited to the fifty over game, and will struggle to make a name for himself in the Test arena based on his performances to date. He would probably benefit from regular game time, though, rather than being dropped all the time.

Secondly, we need to start looking at future replacements for Jacob Oram and Scott Styris, who seem to spend more time on the sideline than they do on the field. Grant Elliott is OK, and shows some promise, but he's a long way of the level Oram and Styris set with both the bat and the ball. Neil Broom certainly has the skills to score runs, and from what we saw in Auckland he can score quickly, but like Elliott he's rather inexperienced. Time will tell for these two...

It's not all doom and gloom, though. Our batting has shown a marked improvement in both forms of the game, especially with the likes of Ryder and Flynn - who have started to prove their worth in the team. Taylor is starting to find some form, too, which will be good for the upcoming ODI series against the Aussies.

As for the new coach, Andy Moles, we think he's started off his career with the Black Caps not too badly. It can't have been easy watching his team get into a commanding position, only to have the weather spoil the party - but based on what we've seen so far, we think he's making the right decisions. As with the players - only time can tell.

The upcoming series against the Aussies should be a cracker, especially as the Aussies seem to have unearthed a new batting 'sensation' in David Warner - who was plucked from obscurity to help lead the Aussies to a win over the South Africans in the first T20 match. Warner hadn't even played a first class game of cricket before being called into the team. Whilst he's failed to ignite in the first two ODI's, doing what he did once means he can do it again - let's just hope it isn't against us.

Lastly, we end on the news that Matthew Hayden has announced his retirement from international cricket. After what's been a pretty tough Summer of cricket for Hayden, the announcement has come as no real surprise. Hayden has certainly been one of Australia's greatest players, and their best opener in Test cricket - and it's another massive loss for Australian cricket as Hayden joins the likes of Warne, Gilchrist, Langer, McGrath and Martin, who have all called an end to their playing days in recent years.

His no-fuss hard-hitting will be missed, in all forms of the game.