Improving India's image
Azharuddin: Time to set the record straight
Posted: Thursday December 17, 1998 10:31 AM
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Azharuddin is confident that India can beat New Zealand Adrian Murrell/Allsport |
DUNEDIN, New Zealand (AP) -- Captain Mohammad Azharuddin says it's time to set the record straight and improve India's image in test cricket in New Zealand.
Azharuddin, in his second stint as captain, is confident India has the resources to beat New Zealand in the three-test series starting at Carisbrook Friday.
"We have one of the best top six batsmen in test cricket and bowlers for any conditions," Azharuddin said Thursday on the eve of the first test.
"We will try and break the hoodoo on this tour. We have drawn a lot of confidence from the two first-class games before the test unlike on our previous visits here."
India has not beaten New Zealand in a series away from home since 1968 when Nawab Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi led his side to a 3-1 win.
India is fresh from a victory over Wellington in a four-day match and Azharuddin felt his key batsmen were getting the "feel" of the different pitches under cold conditions here.
"The batsmen are getting behind the line much better," Azharuddin said.
This is India's sixth visit to New Zealand in three decades and Azharuddin want to win a test series here with his young side.
Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Steve Rixon says reputations will count for nothing when the match begins.
Rixon says Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid are two of the top-three-ranked batsmen in the world, but says when they play away from home, they don't always bat as well.
Rixon believes the hard, bouncy Carisbrook wicket will upset the Indian batsmen and the bitterly cold weather that hit the region late Wednesday was a bonus.
"They don't see the ball bouncing in the sub-continent so that should be to our advantage, and let's face it, we suffer in the heat over there so they can play in the cool here," Rixon said Thursday.
New Zealand's four-pronged pace attack is likely to have first use of the pitch Friday. New Zealand will bowl if captain Stephen Fleming calls correctly but the Indian camp is concerned about the lack of moisture in the pitch and are leaning towards batting first.
The only hiccup in New Zealand's buildup came when Simon Doull was ruled out with a strained calf and replaced by leftarmer Shayne O'Connor.
New Zealalnd Squad
Stephen Fleming (captain), Matthew Horne, Matthew Bell, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Adam Parore, Chris Cairns, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, Shayne O'Connor, Geoff Allott, Paul Wiseman (one to be omitted).
Indian Squad
Mohammad Azharuddin (captain), Navjot Sidhu, Ajay Jadeja, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, Harbhajan Singh, Debashish Mohanty (one to be omitted).
Umpires: Steve Dunne, Edward Nicholls.
Match Referee: Evan Watkin.
Copyright 2003 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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