West Indies have appointed Steve Folkes, a former Australian rugby league player and coach, as their strength and conditioning coach ahead of the series in New Zealand.

Folkes joined the team in Christchurch and coordinated the fitness and net session on Friday. The players will have a similar session on Saturday before they head to Auckland for a three-day warm-up.

Folkes said he wanted to push West Indies up the rankings and bring in a winning attitude along with positive drive. "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," Folkes said. "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 though there was a significant difference between training for rugby league and cricket, the players had welcomed his ideas. "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."

West Indies are scheduled play two Tests, two Twenty20s and five ODIs against New Zealand between December and January.