India in New Zealand CricInfo India CricShop.com
Audio/Video
World Cup
Fantasy
Shopping
Reviews
Travel
Equipment

National Bank Series Live Coverage nzcricket.co.nz
Last match:
  • 7th ODI: New Zealand v India at Hamilton

  • India will not repeat fielding debacle in third match
    Lynn McConnell - 31 December 2002

    Sachin Tendulkar's inclusion in India's team for the third National Bank Series One-Day International against New Zealand, at Jade Stadium tomorrow, would be particularly helpful as the side attempts to pick up their first win of the tour.

    Coach John Wright said the side had managed 20-odd wins in recent ODIs during his time as coach without Tendulkar and that proved the side was not dependent on him, so his presence would be a boost nonetheless and it would be good for cricket.

    "We have to create situations and an attitude where you expect any one of six or seven to be able to do the job," Wright said.

    Lifting the side back from the 2-0 deficit they face in the seven-game series was a case of making individuals in the team aware of what is required of them.

    "We finished the last year badly, we're starting a new year for us tomorrow so it is really self awareness and team awareness.

    "The fielding in the last match was unacceptable and it may cost a player or two their place in the side tomorrow. Fielding is all about giving to the team, it's about attitude and commitment. It's a giving process and it was the most disappointing area of our performance in Napier.

    "But that can happen. It can happen once, if it happens again that will be serious.

    "Everyone can have a bad day but I am sure you will see a better fielding performance tomorrow," Wright said.

    India would not be looking to rest players during the series. They wanted to win the series and that meant doing their best with the best players available to achieve that.

    And that would be the side's best preparation for the World Cup.

    The main things ahead of the side, apart from winning, were to get batsmen into form and to rediscover the eagerness and zest that the side had in England and at the ICC Champions Trophy where there was an evident hunger.

    The development of the side's bowling had been a big bonus from the tour so far and that was timely given that it was an area of concern when looking at the Cup from the longer term.

    "At Auckland and Napier we blew winning opportunities in both games and I look at the potential for improvement and I am very optimistic about this side performing well in South Africa, no matter what happens here.

    "I have a lot of confidence in this side and I know that the boys will perform well in South Africa. But have said that we don't need fielding performances like the other day," he said.

    © CricInfo


    Teams India, New Zealand.
    Players/Umpires Sachin Tendulkar, John Wright.
    Tours India in New Zealand