Basketball: India not likely to be a tall task

The New Zealand basketball teams to the Commonwealth Games go into their final build-up games against India this week without any injury concerns and determined to set momentum for the Melbourne tournament.

Tall Ferns guard Lisa Pardon sat out sessions yesterday with a rolled ankle but is expected to repair quickly while Jodi Cameron, who had an Achilles strain, trained fully, as did the Tall Blacks shooting guard Aaron Olson who has carried an Achilles problem for some months.

The Indian teams, something of an unknown quantity, arrived yesterday and Kiwi observers who watched them train later said they would struggle with the size and physical nature of the Kiwis.

The Indian men are ranked 47 in the world, 31 places behind the Tall Blacks.

They came 12th at the 12-team Asian championships, recording just one win, over Hong Kong. Serbian coach Zoran Lukic, who is employed only up to the Games, has indicated he wants the men to play a fast game with quick transition from defence to offence.

Tall Ferns coach Mike McHugh is expecting the Indian women, ranked 41 in the world, to base their game on finesse rather than power.

After physical games in Cuba, India would be a good contrast for the Ferns. Asian, US, European and Australasian styles of basketball were very different and variation was good going into a tournament, he said.

"We're about as well prepared as we can be and I'd guess we may be the best prepared team there (in Melbourne)," McHugh said.

"I was concerned with some deficiencies going into the Games but the progress we've made has been better than I'd hoped.

"When you get into tight games it's good having the confidence to know you've done the work."

The women play first in each of the three-game series which starts tonight at the North Shore Events Centre and continues at the weekend.

The squads

Tall Blacks Ed Book, centre, 2.10m, Nelson GiantsDillon Boucher, forward, 1.96m, Auckland StarsPero Cameron, forward, 1.98m, Waikato TitansCasey Frank, forward, 2.03m, Auckland StarsPaul Henare, guard, 1.82m, Bay HawksMike Homik, forward, 2.03m, Harbour HeatTroy McLean, guard, 1.95m, Harbour HeatAaron Olson, guard, 1.95m, NZ BreakersTony Rampton, centre, 2.13m, Wollongong HawksLindsay Tait, guard, 1.90m, Auckland StarsMika Vukona, forward, 1.97m, Nelson GiantsPaora Winitana, guard, 1.97m, Bay Hawks

Tall Ferns Micaela Cocks, guard, 1.74m, Harbour BreezeRebecca Cotton, forward, 1.84mAneka Kerr, forward, 1.82m, TownsvilleDonna Loffhagen, forward, 1.84m, CincinnatiAngela Marino, guard, 1.66m, CanberraJessica McCormack, centre, 1.94m, Harbour BreezeKate McMeeken-Ruscoe, guard, 1.75m, CairnsLisa Pardon, guard, 1.73m, NW TasmaniaCharmain Purcell, guard, 1.8m, SydneyJody (Tini) Cameron, forward, 1.79m, Harbour BreezeLisa Wallbutton, forward, 1.83m, Harbour BreezeNoni Wharemate, guard, 1.71m, Harbour Breeze