After winning the recently concluded one day series quite comfortable M.S.Dhoni want the same performance from his teammates to create another history by winning the test series. India have last won the test series here in New Zealand way back in 1976. The kind of form Virendra Sehwag has shown in one day series, he will be trump card for Indians at the top order.
Dhoni said he wants Sehwag to play his natural game. "We want him to play the way he wants to play, because that is his natural style. We all know if he gets going he can dominate the bowlers and all of a sudden you see the bowling attack rattled". He also added "if he spend two-three hours at the crease he is capable of getting big scores, he is not kind of batsman who got out in 30's or 40's".
In last one year India have performed really well in the test series played overseas and it will be big test for them how they tackle the bouncy and seaming wickets in New Zealand.
New Zealand will be also keen to win the series which they never done since last four years at home. Their last win was come in 2004-05 against Sri Lanka. They will be delighted by the return of James Franklin and hope that he delivered both with bat and ball. New Zealand bowlers will be somehow relieved by the fact that now they have to face Indian batsman in test format rather than ODI format.
All in all it's expected to be great game of cricket between India and New Zealand over next five days at Seddon Park, Hamilton with both team look to take the initiative by winning the first test match of the three match series.
Pitch and conditions
This is the same pitch where fourth ODI was played in which New Zealand manage to score 270/5 in 47 overs while India achieve the target without loosing a single wickets. However this time New Zealand curator has left green grass on top of the turf which will provide ample support to seam bowlers in the first session of each days play. However if any team survive first session then it will become good wicket to bat on in the afternoon session.
Rain is expected to play their part on second and third days of Test Match at Seddon Park, Hamilton.
Stats & Trivia
For India Rahul Dravid has an impressive record at Seddon Park. He has scored 341 runs at an average of 113.66 in two test matches, while Sachin Tendulkar has scored 162 runs at an average of 40.5. For New Zealand Captain Daniel Vettori has scored 445 runs with an impressive average of 44.5 in eight test matches and Ross Taylor who has played only one test at this venue poses an average of 63.0.
New Zealand have played 14 test matches at this venue winning 6 and loosing two test matches while six are ended in drawn. India have played three test matches at Seddon Park, Hamilton loosing one and while drawing other two.
At this venue Fast Bowlers manages to grab 171 wickets with an average of 26.00 while spinners have only 35 wickets to their names with an average of 44.2.
Likely Playing XI for both teams (Match is schedule to begin at 03:30 AM India Time and will be Played from 18th – 22nd March)
India Squad: G.Gambhir, V.Sehwag, R.Dravid, S.Tendulkar, V.V.S Laxman, Y.Singh, M.S.Dhoni (Captain & WK), H.Singh, Z.Khan, I.Sharma, L.Balaji.
New Zealand Squad: Tim McIntosh, Daniel Flynn, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Martin Guptill, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum (WK), Daniel Vettori (Captain), Kyle Mills, Chris Martin, Iain O'Brien.
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