2 min readAucklandJan 27, 2014 11:13 AM IST
First published on: Jan 27, 2014 at 03:50 AM IST
(IE Photo)
New Zealand coach Mike Hesson’s preference for green wickets for the two-match Test series against India beginning February 6 was apparent though he said the home team management did not give any instructions to prepare fast bowler-friendly pitches.
“Eden Park does not look that green. Drop-in pitches are never green as it is and they always do something on their own. We don’t give orders as such but we are pretty clear about what sort of pitches we want. But there is also a certain risk involved in that as well considering how good the Indian seamers are,” said Hesson.
Unchanged squad
New Zealand retained the squad that completed a 2-0 series win over West Indies for the two-test cricket series against India beginning on Feb. 6.
The 12 players named by the New Zealand selectors on Sunday took part in the second and third tests against West Indies, winning both after the opening match of the series was drawn. Selection manager Bruce Edgar said while there were a number of players pressing for places in the squad, he and head coach Mike Hesson were happy with the form of the squad.
“We’ve made a lot of progress in the test format recently and the two matches against India will be another chance to continue that development,” Edgar said. Hesson added: “We were thrilled the way we played to beat West Indies 2-0, but realize we’ll have to step it up another gear when playing India.
“It’s an exciting challenge and we look forward to giving it our all. Jesse Ryder will travel with the squad as a possible replacement for Ross Taylor, whose wife is expecting their second child. Ryder has just made a comeback into the NZ squad after he was laid low with an injury sustained in a brawl outside a pub.
New Zealand Test squad: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Doug Bracewell, Peter Fulton, Hamish Rutherford, Jesse Ryder, Ish Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ Watling, Kane Williamson.
(IE Photo)
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