The build-up to the first Test in Wellington starting on Thursday has created a huge amount of interest here in New Zealand. Not only do the public have the opportunity to see the world's best batsman, Sachin Tendulkar, and his highly-rated colleagues but they will be keen to see how their New Zealand Black Caps perform following recent events. The players' pay strike in New Zealand sidelined 128 first- class cricketers for six weeks. The players withdrew their services from the game and decided to have no contact with their coaches or local administrators. The end result was that all pre-season provincial, academy and the domestic `Max' cricket games were cancelled. Since then, two completed rounds of first-class cricket have been played with New Zealand batsmen and bowlers well short of form. The batsmen have not scored anywhere near enough runs and bowlers are short of wickets and the overs necessary to perform at the highest level. The big question is whether the players are ready to take on a match hardened Indian team. Public opinion was against the strike, so the players are under tremendous pressure to restore credibility to the game. They will need to regain the faith and confidence of the public. Also, 20 players have since been contracted to NZ Cricket and while the media and the public do not know the order in which the players are placed, they are aware that players are now financially well remunerated for their efforts. Test cricket is hard enough at any time, but this added pressure to perform would be a test in itself for the home side. Only solid individual performances and a positive result will be good enough for a public that is very demanding of its sportspersons. The same of course can be said for the fanatical Indian public. If statistics are any guideline to results, the Indian batsmen hold an advantage over their rivals. Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, Virender Sehwag and Sourav Ganguly have amassed 61 Test centuries between them while the whole of the New Zealand team - including Nathan Astle, Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan and Scott Styris - have just 18. Tendulkar is approaching 9,000 Test runs has a liking for New Zealand bowling attacks, as 891 runs at 63.64 illustrates. Stephen Fleming is the most accomplished NZ batsman against India with 503 runs at 38.69, better than his career average. He and Dravid scored five centuries between them on their last tour of New Zealand in 1998/9. With no Anil Kumble for the two Tests, Harbhajan Singh may be the key figure in the Indian attack. Whilst New Zealand pitches do not spin a great deal and the bounce is often low and slow, he is a very clever bowler with deceptive flight. The left-arm pace bowlers Ashish Nehra and Zaheer Khan are much improved and have an advantage in that not many opening batsmen have the opportunity of facing two left-armers in the same attack. If they can get the ball to swing in the Wellington conditions, this will give them an added advantage and they would be in a position to ask some searching questions of the New Zealand batsmen. Simon Doull, the former New Zealand swing bowler, used the Wellington conditions magnificently when India last toured New Zealand to capture seven wickets in the first innings. This particular Indian pace attack may enjoy the pitches where the ball does seam. While New Zealand have an exciting batting line-up, the bowling attack is based around Shane Bond who has made a big impact in the game over the last 12 months. He has been timed in the mid-140 kilometres and has taken 26 wickets in six Tests. Stephen Fleming now has an attacking option that he can call on to make things happen. With Chris Cairns, Andre Adams, Ian Butler and Shayne O'Connor absent from the bowling attack due to injury or lack of fitness, Daryl Tuffey, Daniel Vettori and debutants Michael Mason and Jacob Oram will have an opportunity to impress. India have toured New Zealand on many occasions since 1967/8 without making a huge impact, except in that maiden series which they won 3-1. It is also well known that they have not won a Test series outside of Asia since 1986. But in recent times, they have looked far more competitive on foreign soil under Ganguly's captaincy. This series looks set to be a well contested one. It could well be attitude and determination that are the deciding factors. The fact that New Zealand have a point to prove may be decisive in the final analysis.

Sir Richard Hadlee was one of the finest allrounders to grace the game and the first man to go past the 400-wicket barrier in Test cricket. Now New Zealand cricket's chairman of selectors, he will be providing analysis and insight throughout India's series in New Zealand.

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