Cricket: Watch out for the Kiwis, says Azhar

By Richard Boock

Axed Indian cricket captain Mohammad Azharuddin is warning his countrymen to prepare for an epic challenge from the New Zealand cricket team next month.

New Zealand have never won a series in India - in fact only two tests in total - but the recently deposed captain believes the tourists will prove a difficult proposition following their triumph in England.

Speaking in India's mass-circulation Sportstar magazine, Azharuddin singled out Chris Cairns' all-round abilities, and his strong recent form, as a feature of the present New Zealand side who, he said, were always difficult opponents, but now even more so.

"I just hope some of the critics who slammed us when we lost to New Zealand (last summer and at the World Cup), will now understand that they are not a bad side at all," Azharuddin said.

"After watching them beat England I'm convinced that they'll be different to those New Zealand teams who have visited here in the past. Success makes a big difference and effectively changes your approach to the game.

"It's not easy to beat England in England but the Kiwis have done it, and have done it remarkably well."

Azharuddin said the importance of carrying a genuine all-rounder in a test line-up was never more graphically demonstrated than with Cairns against England, and urged Indian fans not to miss watching the exciting New Zealander in action.

"Bits and pieces-type cricketers might deliver in a limited overs environment but you need a quality all-rounder to balance the combination at test level.

"Cairns' form in England allowed New Zealand to play with a positive frame of mind. He has long been described as a temperamental cricketer but his abilities were never doubted by those who knew him."

Azharuddin, who has scored more runs (9110) and played more ODIs (323) than any other cricketer, was dumped after India's World Cup disappointment, his last international appearance being against New Zealand at Trent Bridge in June.

India have not exactly recaptured top-form since his sacking, missing out on the final of the triangular Aiwa Cup tournament in Colombo, and - with another tri-series looming in Singapore (involving Zimbabwe and the West Indies), followed by a three-match series against the West Indies - replacement skipper Sachin Tendulkar is now being troubled by a back complaint.

Tendulkar said from Singapore yesterday he was determined to play even if he wasn't 100 per cent, which will be encouraging for India, who are already without a brace of world-class performers.

As well as discarding left-handed batsman Vinod Kambli, the selectors have dropped legspinner Anil Kumble and have rested paceman Javagal Srinath.

Chairman of selectors Ajit Wadekar said the recalled Kambli did not look up to speed in Colombo, but he expected Kumble to regain his place in time for the New Zealand tour.

"Kumble looked out of rhythm in Colombo but he's such a great bowler and competitor that it's only a matter of time until he comes back."

India: Sachin Tendulkar (captain), Ajay Jadeja (vice-captain), Sourav Ganguly, S. Ramesh, Rahul Dravid, Amay Khurasiya, Robin Singh, Nikhil Chopra, Venkat Prasad, Debashish Mohanty, Laxmi Ratan Shukla, MSK Prasad, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, Sunil Joshi.