Cricket: New Zealand have the drop on tourists

The attention turns from the one-day versions to cricket's most traditional form with New Zealand playing the first of six tests at home in Dunedin starting on Tuesday.

So what should we expect from New Zealand in their own conditions?

Pakistan rate among the more gifted of international teams, and also the most infuriatingly erratic, but their record in New Zealand is useful, including winning their last series here, 1-0, six years ago.

So the first order of business for New Zealand will be ...

1: The search for consistency

In this instance that means consistency of line and length with the ball, working to a plan, keeping the heat on Pakistan's batsmen.

Hurl it down any old how and there could be some serious leather-chasing to be done, particularly atthe second and third-test venuesof the Basin Reserve in Wellingtonand Napier's McLean Park nextmonth.

Closely followed by showing plenty of batting smarts ...

2: Make Pakistan's bowlers work for their success

That means no freebies, ensuring the tourists' earn their wickets.

Pakistan have uncovered a teenage diamond in left armer Mohammad Aamer.

He had success against New Zealand - particularly Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor - by angling the ball across the body in the United Arab Emirates.

Given the nature of the shorter versions, the batsmen felt com-pelled to get on with it and were frequently caught behind chasingthe ball.

Test batting allows for more patience. Eschew the wide ball; make Aamer come to them.

When the batsmen get in, make it count, as Jesse Ryder showed with his double century in Napier against India last season.

Which brings us to ...

3: Tightening the screws in the field

And that means more than simply holding the catches.

It means applying a hold in terms of ground fielding, no easy runs to help Pakistan's batsmen get their bearings.

It also means supporting the bowler.

There are few things more infuriating than a fielder not having his mind on the job.

The noose gets loosened and allows a batsman to get out of a pressure situation the bowler has been building for a period of time.

All of which adds up to ...

4: A collaborative performance

New Zealand's best days have invariably come through a collective will, that is, all parts making a contribution.

Truly outstanding New Zealand players don't come round all that often.

The first test will be played at a venue which invariably helps the seamers; the second at what is usually the best in the country; the third at a ground batsmen generally enjoy, with the promise of sweat and toil for the bowlers.

New Zealand are intimately acquainted with the conditions they will encounter and should make sure they use that knowledge to their advantage.