No mind games,were Kiwis

Despite their geographical proximity to Australia,mind games isnt a sport that has sailed across to New Zealand. While one witnesses pre-tour war of words....

Despite their geographical proximity to Australia,mind games isnt a sport that has sailed across to New Zealand. While one witnesses pre-tour war of words on the other side of the Tasman sea as the Aussies target key players with provocative quotes,the first bytes emerging from the Kiwi camp on Monday seemed like tourism department statements that didnt just promise the visitors a comfortable stay but also heaped unqualified praise on them.

It is a given that the ICC rankings are taken with a pinch of salt around the world but the Kiwi disregard for them in the context of them naming India No 1 in all forms of the game came as a surprise. The friendliness continued as the hosts assured that the pitches werent as seam-friendly as they were in 2002 and there was even a confession about the relatively inexperienced team being star-stuck by the high-profile players from India.

India are No 1 in all facets of the game. You look at the last 18 months,they have gone around the world,and at home,they have played really good cricket. They have got some very experienced players,they are obviously coached really well, said Kiwi coach Andy Moles. In past the Indian teams havent toured too well. But they put a lot of that to bed over the last couple of years. They did really well in Australia on the last tour.

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Later,star batsman Ross Taylor faced the media and dismissed talk about the shade of green that has bothered the Indians for a long time. A lot of people made a lot of the pitches that the Indians played on the last time they were out here. I dont think India need to worry a lot about green seaming wickets. It shows in our domestic form. Its good for our cricket that the bowlers are having to work harder for their wickets. Im sure over the next month or so Indians will see that the conditions have changed, he said.

But while praising the Indians,both Moles and Taylor made it clear that their team had it in them to beat the best in business. It didnt seem like hollow talk,too,considering their 2-2 ODI series earlier this month against Australia. Adding an edge to the New Zealand side will be the fact that all-rounder Jacob Oram,who missed the Aussie tour,will be available.

The coach called him the top all-rounder in world cricket and an explosive player who can win games on his own. Any New Zealand team with Oram in it has the capacity to win games,not only while playing well,but also when were behind in the game. You can catch up with his immense hitting. Were delighted to have him in the set-up, Moles said.

Later,during the nets when Oram broke a bat with his lusty blows,the coach wouldve been delighted. Alongside,the new-ball bowlers were breaking stumps as they practised bowling into the block hole. On first impression,New Zealand seemed like a unit that is capable of springing a surprise. War of words may not be a Kiwi trait but sudden ambush on complacent rivals is a known habit of the Black Caps.

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