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New Zealand must prepare green pitches for India series: Martin Crowe
The huge gap in their ICC rankings make India the favourites, but former New Zealand batsman Martin Crowe feels the Kiwis have a fair chance of winning the upcoming ODI and Test series if they prepare pitches that assist seam bowling.
India, touring New Zealand for the first time since early 2009, have just three old faces in their ranks for the Tests in captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and fast bowlers Zaheer Khan and Ishant Sharma.
"New Zealand should focus their preparation on exposing a whole line-up that has never before batted in these conditions," said Crowe.
"Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Neil Wagner (or Adam Milne as back up) are the men to target India's top six. They are confident, fit and work well together. Most importantly, they can produce a significant amount of swing to trouble any top player early in his innings," he added.
'The pitches should be green and hold moisture'
India, ranked number one, will play five ODIs and two Tests against the Black Caps, placed eighth in the rankings, and Crowe insisted that New Zealand must play to its strength and focus on making green tops.
"The pitches should be green and hold moisture. This environment has been missing recently. Hadlee and Co. from the glorious past, didn't bowl on featherbeds; they gained assistance off the seam as well as through the air.
"With respect to an Indian attack that is aging a little with Zaheer back in, local groundsmen should be watering freely, just as the ones in India remove life from their pitches," Crowe wrote in his column in ESPNCricinfo.
'The home side must aim for a series win'
While India is ranked No 2 in Tests, New Zealand is placed eighth. But Crowe feels the rankings will hardly matter when the two teams meet on energetic pitches.
"India are ranked No. 2 and New Zealand No. 8, but don't let that fool anyone. This series, if played on energetic pitches, where results are found in approximately four days, could well be as memorable as any we have seen in this part of the world for a while," Crowe stressed.
"The home side must aim for a series win. While I am not big on unrealistic expectations, I believe that in home conditions all teams must set that goal. These days, to not win at home, whoever you are, is a missed opportunity.
"New Zealand will gain good ground in the rankings if they can achieve this goal. Recently, against West Indies, they showed excellent consistency in their fast bowling stocks, a growing strength. It is this factor, against a resplendent yet unacquainted Indian batting line-up, that should give them a fierce focus," Crowe added.
'Zaheer is one of the finest to ever open the bowling for India'
The former Kiwi player said the conditions in New Zealand will test the Indian batting line-up, which adjusted well during the recent tour to South Africa.
"The Indian line-up will be tested as much as they were in South Africa last month, but in different ways. On that score, they coped well against real pace and bounce, despite losing the series to a classy No. 1-ranked team.
"Their confidence of adjusting to foreign conditions will be high, given their showing overall. In New Zealand, their ability to adjust will need to keep evolving," he explained.
Crowe, however, made it clear that the Indian bowlers' abilities should not be underestimated.
"Indian bowlers shouldn't be discounted by any stretch. Zaheer is one of the finest to ever open the bowling for India and his experience will be invaluable. He will know he can exploit the New Zealand openers, who are showing a distinct lack of proper foot movement at times.
"Frankly, if there isn't better footwork shown by Peter Fulton and Hamish Rutherford, their places will become open to scrutiny -- if they are not under the cosh already."
'Both Pujara and Kohli have had remarkable run sprees recently'
According to Crowe, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli against Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor is likely to be an interesting contest.
"Both Pujara and Kohli have had remarkable run sprees recently, as has Taylor, while Williamson will be looking to kick on after getting decent starts. He has shown growth and progress in the pivotal No. 3 spot, and this tour will be a good challenge for his mental strength," said Crowe.
Crowe feels while both will come up with good strategies, fielding could make a difference.
"The fielding unit is another vital cog, and the team that makes an impact first could well be the one that gets the jump," said Crowe.