Having mended his differences with the West Indies board, Chris H. Gayle averaged 43.25 in the ODI series against England in September. Photo: Getty Images

Gayle, currently playing alongside Brendon McCullum for Rangpur Riders in the Bangladesh Premier League Twenty20, was confirmed in West Indies one-day international and T20 squads for two three-match series starting in Whangarei on December 20.

The 38-year-old hasn't played a test for three years (he averages 42 from 103 tests) but returned to the West Indies ODI set-up in England in September after a thawing in relations between some star players and the board.

New Zealand fans should be treated to some batting fireworks up front from the touring side with left-hander Evin Lewis likely to partner Gayle at the top.

Lewis, a 25-year-old from Trinidad, hits it just as far as Gayle and showed his class against top opposition when slaying 176 off 130 balls in his most recent ODI against England at The Oval in September.

Also playing in the BPL, Lewis will play the ODIs in New Zealand but miss the T20s for personal reasons.

Test skipper Jason Holder, banned from the second test in Hamilton by match referee Chris Broad due to a slow over rate in the first test defeat in Wellington, will lead the ODI side.

Experienced left-arm spinner Nikita Miller was recalled after last playing for West Indies at the 2015 Cricket World Cup.

The ODI squad has an extra edge with a World Cup qualifying tournament looming in Zimbabwe in March. Ranked ninth, behind Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, West Indies don't get automatic entry to the 2019 tournament in the UK.

For the T20 series, experienced pace bowling allrounder Rayad Emrit gets his first call-up after playing two ODIs a decade ago in India.

The T20 side, to be captained by big-hitting Carlos Brathwaite, includes familiar names Kieron Pollard, Andre Fletcher, Sunil Narine and Samuel Badree.

West Indies limited overs squads for New Zealand series:

ODI: Jason Holder (captain), Jason Mohammed (vice-captain), Sunil Ambris, Ronsford Beaton, Shannon Gabriel, Chris Gayle, Kyle Hope, Shai Hope, Alzarri Joseph, Evin Lewis, Nikita Miller, Ashley Nurse, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Kesrick Williams.

Twenty20: Carlos Brathwaite (captain), Samuel Badree, Ronsford Beaton, Rayad Emrit, Andre Fletcher, Chris Gayle, Jason Mohammed, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Rovman Powell, Marlon Samuels, Jerome Taylor, Chadwick Walton, Kesrick Williams.