As we go in on Day 3, we will be a determined, excited and realistic lot. Determined, because we came here with a purpose. We knew that at some point in this Videocon Test series opportunity will knock, and we had resolved to make full use of that opportunity. Excited, because this is the best chance we can hope for as far as a Test series win in India is concerned, and that is a feat no visiting New Zealand team has ever achieved. But most importantly, we are realistic because we know that the Indians will go all out to defend their fantastic record at home, and taking 20 wickets on this pitch against their batting lineup will need a virtuoso performance from our bowlers.
The first day of this Test will always remain with me because of the way our openers and Scotty [Scott Styris] batted. It was the first time in the history of New Zealand cricket that the first three batsmen notched up 300-plus.
On the eve of the Test, we had decided that if we were to bat first, the opening day would be set-up day. Lou [Vincent], Rigga [Mark Richardson], and Scotty ensured that our plan was on course, and the second day's play was simply about capitalising on the superb start these three had given us.
We plan to bat on for some time tomorrow, and the declaration will only come when we feel that we have enough to ensure that we don't have to bat again. We don't have a set target in mind right now, and will decide on one only after an hour's play tomorrow.
While we did not have any specific game plan for the Indian spin twins, we had worked hard on our defence and were positive right through. It helped that since we had first use of the pitch there were no rough patches that Anil Kumble and Harbhajan Singh could exploit.
Plenty has been written about what a dead pitch this is, and when the Indians bat, it remains to be seen whether it will still seem dead. Even yesterday, the bowlers did have their moments whenever they hit the cracks. The bounce and swing was up and down, and hopefully Ian [Butler] will come into play tomorrow.
Ian has tremendous wrist swing and is known in New Zealand for his ability to reverse the ball as well. Today, we did see Tendulkar's gentle seamers go a little bit up and down, and at Ian's pace that can be quite deadly.
A further deterioration in the cracks would really help our cause tremendously. The spinners, Dan and Paul, will also obviously come into play since they will be bowling on a pitch that has seen two days plus of wear and tear.
I don't think it was the change of captain that helped our cause. We batted well against every strategy and bowler that Rahul threw at us. He tried every trick in the book, but I think Rigga and Lou batted as well as I know they can.
It remains to be seen whether the Indian team will miss Ganguly the batsman.
The Indians are a formidable batting lineup. But chasing a massive target and trying to save a Test can often burden even the best in the business, and we will ensure that the Indians will feel that pressure right through when they come out to bat.
(Gameplan)
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