In beating India, New Zealand can reflect on heading a country with a population of 960 million, at last count, and where cricket is almost a religion.

On too many occasions in recent years, after a victory or two, the Blacks Caps have enthused about ``turning a corner'', only to find it leading to a dead end.

Wisely this time, team management has expressed pleasure at beating India, but is cautiously optimistic about what lies ahead, especially with the formidable South African side in February and March.

New Zealand deserves credit for doing a number of things well in the just-concluded series, most notably recovering from some vulnerable positions by displaying fighting qualities not always evident in the past.

Its fielding was far superior to the visitors and marred only by a catching malaise in India's second innings of the third test at Hamilton when its new slip cordon was on display.

New Zealand could have been looking at a 2-0 result had Javagal Srinath been caught on five, instead of scoring 74, and the Black Caps would most likely have held a first-innings lead of more than 100.

New Zealand was weakest in its top-order batting, with the opening position again a problem as Matthew Bell struggled to adjust to the international level against the competitive Srinath.

Hopefully, having a Ken Rutherford-like start to his test career, with scores of 4, 0, 0, and 25, has not harmed the level-headed Bell and the selectors are keen to retain him, provided his form warrants selection, for the South African series.

Bell's early departure invariably meant skipper Stephen Fleming was facing the new ball far earlier than desirable.

Fleming made several starts, but would have been disappointed with lapses of judgment which brought about his downfall.

Matt Horne continues to grow in stature as an opening batsman and only lapses in concentration stopped him from making three figures.

Craig McMillan and Dion Nash were the Black Caps' batting stars of the series. McMillan put aside some modest domestic form to rise to the occasion, and, with his pugnacious batting, bowed to no bowler.

Like Horne, he twice had hundreds in sight, only to miss out.

Chris Cairns, despite his bowling being often disappointing, played two telling knocks that were vital in match-winning (at Wellington) and match-saving (at Hamilton) occasions, further underlining his all-round ability.

Nash was probably New Zealand's find of the series, batting determinedly at No. 8 and challenging for a role higher up the order.

He held his wicket dearly and was only once dismissed in the series -- unluckily run out.

His first-innings stand with Daniel Vettori in the second test was pivotal in providing New Zealand with a valuable lead from which to base its victory.

India disappointing

To be fair, India disappointed somewhat.

Its highly talented batting line-up usually seemed hell-bent on stroke-making, no matter what the circumstances.

With few exceptions, notably Rahul Dravid, the Indians struggled to play circumspectly when implored to by coach Anshuman Gaekwad.

Perhaps having played some 40 one-day internationals and only four tests during the past year created a state of mind from which the Indian batsmen could not re-adjust.

Whatever the problem, it gave regular catching practice to the New Zealanders behind the wicket, and first slip Fleming made the most of it, grabbing eight catches.

India's bowling relied heavily on veteran workhorse Srinath, who gave a lion-hearted display, and leg-spinner Anil Kumble.

For a nation that prides itself on the quality of its spin bowling, there was little depth, although nothing was seen of left-armer Sunil Joshi in the tests.

India's fielding left a lot to be desired for an international side and contrasted with the high standards set by New Zealand.

The Indians face a lot of work in this area, with the help of former Australian coach Bobby Simpson, before they can be considered World Cup contenders in England later this year.

When pressed on his team's mixed performances, Indian captain Mohammed Azharuddin said he had no specific answer but did say motivation came from within.

That may be true, but it appears the introduction of technical adviser Ashley Ross and Gilbert Enoka (sports psychologist), doubling The Management team, has had a beneficial effect on the Black Cap players.

The series also proved that test cricket is alive and well. The two matches ebbed and flowed from session to session, leaving the New Zealand players more mentally drained than in many previous series.

Playing test matches over the Christmas-New Year period proved remarkably successful, and New Zealand Cricket is keen to repeat the exercise on a regular basis.

Name players, glorious summer weather, and excellent pitches at two picturesque venues led to gate takings 50 per cent above budget at both venues, expunging the memory of the first-test, Dunedin wash-out.