India arrive to face wet weather, Stags

However, the weather forecast here before Monday’s opening four-day tour fixture against State Insurance Central Stags, the new name for Central Districts, is rather gloomy with the meteorological office forecasting a soggy summer.

Central Stags do not seem to possess much firepower to rattle the Indians but their coach, former New Zealand all-rounder Dipak Patel, said, “It would be great to beat an international team of this class.”

Patel wastrying to play on the Indians’ concern over the lateral movement of the ball besides some extra bounce. His remarks came a few hours after New Zealand’s Australian coach Steve Rixon had said that it made sense (for the home team) to prepare lively pitches.

“I have not spoken to any curators (about preparing a lively pitch) and nor will I. But we have to look at what suits us to win Test matches and that, to me, is bouncier wickets,” Roxon had said. Indian coach Anshuman Gaekwad said it was natural for New Zealand to want to prepare pitches to suit the home side. “It happens all the time. It is expected all over the world now,” he said.

Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin said a successful team had to be prepared to play and perform on all types of pitches. “Why should it worry us ? We have got the players to perform in all conditions,” said an unconcerned Azhar.

“We are professionals, we’ve got to play in the given conditions. We cannot shy away and say the wicket is bouncing or turning,” hesaid.“The same thing happens when the New Zealand team comes to India. There are always complaints all around, but at the end of the day, the better team will win.”

Proof that sub-continental players were likely to struggle on these pitches came when the strong Pakistan A squad, led by Rashid Latif, crashed to 58 for seven against New Zealand A in the first `Test’ at Hamilton, a hundred kilometres from here. Six of the Pakistani batsmen, who should have been used to the conditions after a stay of over a month, were caught behind the wicket — five of them by stumper Adam Parore — which suggests that front-footed stroke-players from the sub-continent, who often play away from their body, are likely to get into trouble on the seaming pitches.

India’s opening game would give individuals like Central Stags’ captain Craig Spearman an opportunity to impress the selectors. The side includes New Zealand’s youth team captain Jarrod Englefield and another highly rated young batsman, Jacob Oram. Englefield wouldmake his first class debut.The combined presence of the sponsors, added to the fact that star attraction Tendulkar might play, has led to the organisers putting up tickets for the four-day game.