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Holder pointed out Kane Williamson's marathon double century as an innings that the West Indies batters should try and replicate after their loss in the first Test of the series. Williamson spent 624 minutes at the crease, facing 412 balls and making 251 runs.

The visitors, meanwhile, were bowled out for 138 in the first innings, while a 155-run counterattacking stand between Jermaine Blackwood and Alzarri Joseph provided some resistance to the visitors in the second innings while following on.

“We obviously didn't bat well in this test match. In the recent past our batting's been inconsistent and probably been our problem in the last couple of years," Holder said after the loss on day four.

“From here to Wellington I just think we've got to switch on a little bit more, dig a little deeper. I feel in the initial stages in our innings we need to fight a little harder in those tough periods, get through them. You just see for example when New Zealand spent a day in the field, coming back a little bit jaded, they're human.

“We need to make them bowl two to three spells, give ourselves a chance upfront, and cash in at the back end. Kane [Williamson] showed us exactly how it's supposed to be done with a proper test match innings and if you look at the way Kane set up his innings, just a matter of being patient, buying time, making us bowl a few spells and then he was able to cash in, in the last half of his innings.”

While criticising the batsmen, Holder was quick to point out the resilience shown by John Campbell and Kraigg Brathwaite late on day two in the first innings to take West Indies to stumps unscathed.

“The way we batted that evening was outstanding – I commended the guys really well for that.

“That application is what we're looking for from our top order. The guys really knuckled down, left the ball really well, their judgment was pretty precise, their footwork was pretty precise as well and then it was disappointing to see the following day, after doing the hard work the evening before, to just come in the next day and we didn't really show that same application.

“Yes the New Zealand bowlers did challenge us but I felt as though we challenged the NZ batters as well. We went past their bat quite a few times and we really made Kane work hard upfront for his runs. I don't think it's beyond the guys – they just need to get that confidence into doing it more.

Kane Williamson also backed West Indies to come good in the next Test while hoping his own side continues their good form.

“We know the quality that they have in their side - whenever you get a Test under your belt coming off a break or a volume of perhaps white-ball cricket then there's going to be lessons to build on and try and take into the next performance and like us I'm sure they'll be trying to do that and putting up a stronger performance.”