It could very well be the groundsmen who feel the most pressure going into the marquee tour of the summer. India arrived in New Zealand last week, the first time they have been here for a full tour since December 2002, writes Mark Richardson in the New Zealand Herald.
But what to do? This is the last time New Zealanders will see the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, VVS Laxman, and possibly Virender Sehwag playing on our shores and it would be a shame to cheat the New Zealand fans once more of their considerable skill should we try to nullify them in seaming conditions. But we also want to win don't we? Nothing but the perfect cricket conditions will suffice for this tour. In the ODIs, we want conditions that provide for quality stroke play but ones that don't turn Iain O'Brien and Co into cannon fodder.
Those who want to play for New Zealand, line up in orderly fashion behind Daniel Vettori. Before long the selectors will get to you. Seriously, it's not as silly as it sounds, writes Dylan Cleaver in the New Zealand Herald.
A staggering 28 players have taken the field for New Zealand since the summer started in Bangladesh in October. Two others, wicketkeepers Peter McGlashan and Gareth Hopkins, have also been flown overseas as cover for Brendon McCullum. That's 30 players picked to play for their country - even in these days of million-dollar IPL contracts, surely the highest honour the sport affords you - out of a professional player pool of 92.
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