JOIN USThe Kiwis were routed 4-0 in a one-day series in Bangladesh last month, merely adding to the woes of a team that hasn’t played a Test match since March this year. “It’s the toughest challenge in world cricket, playing the number one team in their own conditions,” Vettori admitted. “With the experience and success they have within their line-up, they know what they are doing.
“We are at the opposite end of the spectrum – a newish line-up with a couple of experienced guys, trying to find their feet in international cricket. But therein lies the opportunity. I don’t think I have seen the team so excited about a Test series coming over here. Everyone knows if you succeed in India, people stand up and take notice.”
New Zealand will have to play out of their skins to stop the Indian juggernaut, the Kiwi skipper conceded. “India have got to number one for a reason,” he pointed out. “They have kept their standards pretty high, they will be looking to win comprehensively. It is up to us to maintain our standards and to go in excess of them because that’s the only way we can compete with India.”
Talk has emanated from the Kiwi camp in the build-up to the series that they would consider a draw here as a victory of sorts. “We are trying to improve our Test match ranking, trying to get better as a team,” Vettori said, differing from that perception. “If you start off with a mindset of draws being acceptable… I want to go out there wanting to win, and we will take it from there.”