By IANS,
Wellington : India will take on a resurgent New Zealand in hostile climatic conditions in the third and final cricket Test beginning at Basin Reserve here Friday.
India have not won a series in New Zealand since 1968, which was also their first overseas victory.
The Hamilton win gave India a 1-0 lead. The Kiwis fought back in the second Test in Napier but had to be content only with a draw as the strong Indian batting line-up threw in their weight.
The McLean Park track was a batsman’s paradise and produced 1,400 runs including a double century, four centuries and seven half-centuries in five days.
Here at the Basin Reserve, the Indian team have been greeted with overcast skies, cold and strong winds.
They reached here two days before the Test to find the temperature around 10 degrees Celsius, and wind speed around 30 kmph.
India’s coach, Gary Kirsten said his team has adjusted to the conditions.
“It is a bit cold here for the Indian guys, but we have adjusted well,” Kirsten said.
“The guys are looking forward to it. We have got a fair amount of rest watching the guys bat in Napier. So I think the bowlers are pretty keen to get out there.”
Kirsten said they will have to strategise according to the windy condition. “We will have to see when we get out there. Conditions look certainly good for the first few days. It does affect things a little, but you can take those decisions only on the field.”
New Zealand fast bowler Chris Martin said his side will have an advantage because of the weather.
“It’s something a lot of touring teams dislike and quite a lot of people playing here domestically find it tough as well. But it’s character building, and is definitely something the supporters will have to put up with as well,” Martin said.
“I know most subcontinental sides that have come out here find it very difficult to keep their bodies warm and I think they might want their bowlers to get us out even quicker.”
India’s record here is far from impressive. They have four defeat and one win and have not tasted victory in the last four Test matches.
The visitors, however, will be bolstered by the inclusion of their skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni who was out the second Test with a sore back.