Decisive results are more often obtained at the Basin, a 138-year-old ground, than a Hamilton's Trust Bank Park, when the final test begins exactly a week later.

India, in the past, have played three Test matches at the Basin and all of them have yielded a winner. India beat New Zealand here in 1967-68, but lost in 1975-76 when they were handicapped by an injury to Sunil Gavaskar; they were defeated again in a thrilling match in 1980-81.

Groundsman Trevor Jackson promises that a pitch, containing pace and bounce, will give bowlers as good a chance as the batsmen and predicts that a positive result will come about.

India had enough proof in the day/night exhibition match in Dunedin that New Zealand are no pushover. They may lack suchbig stars as India possess, but they have been prepared well by their Australian coach, Steve Rixon, who has also motivated them to play positively.

Rixon's influence was discernible in the gusto with which New Zealand batted at Dunedin. Their disciplined bowling was well supported in the field. Indeed, fielding is a department in which India were left far behind.

Their captain, left-hander Steve Fleming, who was New Zealand's top-scorer in Dunedin has a groin injury, but will definitely play. Simon Doull, who pulled out of the first Test squad with a strained calf muscle, passed a fitness test today and will form part of a four-man pace attack.

The attention of India's selectors will be focused on two issues, the first being the choice of Navjot Singh Sidhu's opening partner. There are two contenders, vice-captain Ajay Jadeja and VVS Laxman.

Jadeja was first picked for the first Test, which never came about. But he injured himself two days before the match and his place went to Laxman. With afreely-made 82, the Hyderabad stylist was top scorer for either side in the Dunedin exhibition match and it would be harsh on him if that performance did not carry weight with the selectors, of whom Jadeja is one.The other batsmen are well established, although Sidhu has yet to play a substantial innings on the tour.

While the pitch looks a good one, there will certainly be some help in it on the first morning and if India bat first, a sound start will be essential. Considering that the Indian bowling lacks depth, a big total is essential if India are to put New Zealand under pressure.

Teams

New Zealand (from): Stephen Fleming (captain), Matthew Horne, Matthew Bell, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, Simon Doull, Geoff Allott, Paul Wiseman.

India (from): Mohammad Azharuddin (captain), Navjot Sidhu, VVS Laxman, Ajay Jadeja, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Nayan Mongia, Anil Kumble, Javagal Srinath, Venkatesh Prasad, RobinSingh (jr), Harbhajan Singh.