MADRAS, 23 September 2003 — New Zealand’s cricket team arrived in India yesterday determined to excel on a tour captain Stephen Fleming described as tougher than playing against world champions Australia.
The 14-man New Zealand squad will play two Tests and a triangular one-day series also featuring Australia during the seven-week tour.
Fleming, on his fourth visit to India, said playing top-level cricket in this country was a bigger challenge than taking on trans-Tasman neighbors Australia.
“India is one of the most fascinating places in the cricket world,” said the astute 30-year-old, who has lifted New Zealand to third place in the Test rankings behind Australia and South Africa.
“A tour of Australia is just an extension of living and playing in New Zealand. India offered different demands.
“The toughest challenge is culturally and physically. There are a lot of adjustments you have to make and the quicker you adapt the better you do. “I have found tours of India very enjoyable, but mentally it is very demanding. Coping with the fan pressure is part of it. They are very passionate about their team and they want to see it do well.”
New Zealand’s Test squad is without strike bowler Shane Bond, who is recovering from an injury, and all-rounder Chris Cairns, whose wife is expecting the couple’s second child.
Cairns will join the team for the one-day series, but the Kiwis have been bolstered by the return of veteran batsmen Craig McMillan and Nathan Astle.
Fleming scoffed at suggestions that India will regard the two Tests as a chance to avenge the heavy defeats in New Zealand last year on underprepared bowler-friendly wickets.
“We don’t expect to play on green, seamers’ wickets in India,” he said.
“We expect spinners’ tracks, that is the way it has always been in India and the onus is on us this time to adjust.
“Talk of revenge and bad blood doesn’t come into it. I can’t see the issue. Touring India is always a challenge and always has been.”
