JODHPUR, OCT 4: The bright sunny weather that greeted New Zealand cricketers on their arrival here has not only gladdened the hearts of the tourists but also the administrators of the Jodhpur Cricket Association, organisers of the three-day match against Board President's XI to be held at the Barakatullah Khan Stadium from Tuesday.With the first Test at Mohali scheduled for October 10, the Kiwis are keen to have full three days of match practice, according to manager Jeff Crowe and skipper Stephen Fleming. The New Zealanders, who had a long session at the nets this morning, did not hesitate to say that they perform well when the sun is shinning.The New Zealanders were denied full practice at Pune where their tour opener against India A was washed out. ``We enjoy the game when the sun is out. No need for jumpers, like we have back home,'' Crowe commented after the practice session. ``We hope to catch up with lost time.''The Barkatullah Khan hasn't hosted many big matches in recent years. The Irani Cup between Delhi and the Rest of India was held in 1987-88. The veterans' game between India and Sri Lanka was another match played at the same venue.After a rude wake-up call on their first day at Pune, the Kiwis are keen to put up a better show here to get themselves ready for the first Test. The team has some experienced and exciting cricketers, including Chris Cairns, skipper Fleming, vice-captain Dion Nash, Nathan Astle, Chris Harris, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori and Craig McMillan. ``We need to adapt ourselves to the situation and realities fast,'' Fleming said.The Board XI boasts of some players who have already been tested by the national selectors and some who have been knocking at the doors of big cricket. Skipper Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Vikram Rathore, Gagan Khoda, Harbhajan Singh, Rahul Sanghvi, Ashish Nehra, Ashish Winston Zaidi and Jai Prakash Yadav have been big successes in domestic cricket. Some of them got their chances at the highest level but could not cement their places. Wicketkeeper Sameer Dighe, batsmen Virender Sehwag and Devender Bundela, all of whom were part of the India A tour of Los Angeles last month, get another chance to prove themselves.``The wicket looks good. There should't be too much movement. There should be good work for both our batsmen and bowlers,'' said Crowe after inspecting the wicket at the 27,000 capacity stadium.Teams: New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Dion Nash (vice-captain), Nathan Astle, Matthew Bell, Chris Cairns, Chris Drum, Chris Harris, Matthew Horne, Craig McMillan, Shayne C'Connor, Adam Parore (wk), Andrew Penn, Craig Spearman, Daniel Vettori and Paul Wiseman.Board XI: Hrishikesh Kanitkar (captain) Vikram Rathore, Gagan Khoda, Sameer Dighe, Virender Sehwag, Devender Bundela, P Mullick, Harbhajan Singh, Rahul Sanghvi, Ashish Nehra, AW Zaidi, Sanjay Bangar, Rajiv Nayyar and Jai Prakash Yadav.
