Wellington, Dec. 10 : Umpiring controversies should be kept at a minimum when the first cricket test between New Zealand and West Indies begins Thursday, says New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori.

The countries'' two-match series is the second on the international calendar to be part of a trial enabling players to appeal decisions.

Rival captains Daniel Vettori and Chris Gayle have the power to refer rejected appeals to the third umpire for his assessment. Batsmen can also ask for a second opinion when they are given out.

However, the system, first trialled when India visited Sri Lanka in July-August, must be used prudently, Vettori said.

Vettori welcomed the innovation designed to eradicate poor decisions.

"I think it''s quite exciting to the game. It brings a new element into it for a captain. You''re going to have to be strong with some people about not wanting to appeal every decision off their bowling. And guys have to be aware that if they make a mistake then it can affect the team," the New Zealand Press Association quoted Vettori, as saying.

Each team can make three unsuccessful referrals per innings, leaving the batting side particularly vulnerable if the top order try their luck.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) trial allows players to refer any decision to the third umpire though leg before wicket decisions are expected to dominate the review process.

Vettori said vice-captain and wicketkeeper Brendon McCullum would have significant input when New Zealand were in the field.

"I think the wicketkeeper is the key - he sees a lot of what goes on and has a good understanding of the game. With Brendon being a senior player a lot of the responsibility for those decisions is on him," Vettori said.

English umpire Mark Benson, who stood in the series between Sri Lanka and India in July when the referral system was used for the first time, is also involved tomorrow along with Amish Saheba of India, who makes his test debut.

Experienced South African Rudi Koertzen is the third umpire.

Benson welcomed the scope to have his decisions challenged .

"In modern day sport you have to try to get near 100 per cent of decisions correct," he said.

"I think it worked pretty well (in Sri Lanka). Sri Lanka versus India..... you had four unbelievable spinners on turning tracks - it was a very difficult series to do and there were no clear cut errors in three tests." (ANI)