India boasts five batsmen ranked in the top 20 with averages most of the New Zealanders would be wishing for in their Christmas stocking.

The incomparable Sachin Tendulkar, determined youngster Rahul Dravid, and exciting stroke-maker Saurav Ganguly all tout test averages beyond 50. Add to that those of vastly experienced skipper Mohammad Azharuddin, playing his 93rd test, and the seasoned Navjot Sidhu, who both sit well into the 40s, and a score of several hundred seems guaranteed.

Contrast those averages with the New Zealanders, whose best comes from Craig McMillan, at 40, and that from only eight tests -- not yet enough games for a considered judgment.

Three others -- Stephen Fleming, Matthew Horne, and Nathan Astle -are in the 30-something bracket and aspire for better, while in the middle order Adam Parore and Chris Cairns certainly have the ability to push their figures into the 30s instead of hovering in the mid-20s.

Another telling statistic in the batting is the number of centuries scored. The New Zealand team's grand tally of tons is 12, a number which Tendulkar and Azharuddin have each eclipsed on their own.

Where the Black Caps achieve parity and should have an advantage at home is in the bowling ranks. Leg-spinner Anil Kumble and seam bowler Javagal Srinath are the cornerstones of India's bowling attack, while Venkatesh Prasad should develop further in New Zealand conditions.

But India's back-up spin bowling resources are barely tried.

The injury-enforced withdrawal of Simon Doull robs the Black Caps of a proven wicket-taker, Doull having taken 83 wickets at 27. However, through Chris Cairns, Dion Nash and Shayne O'Connor, there is wicket-taking prowess.