15th September (CRICKETNMORE) - Doug Bracewell believes Indian conditions are the sternest test around the world a touring team can face. It's that challenge that has Bracewell excited by what’s to come.
“There is probably no harder place to tour than India”
“Every tour the boys are pretty fizzed up, especially day one and day two, the boys are quite fresh. Day one is always good to have a run around and get out of the hotel after a couple of long days traveling.”
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In the past the BLACKCAPS have felt the impact of India’s various challenges, but the pace bowler says the team are aware of that history and it’s a motivating factor for achieving success over the next two months.
“It’s always going to be a big challenge for us, the boys are pretty fizzed up and looking forward to getting stuck in.”
After getting a taste of spinning conditions in Zimbabwe, the side know they will have to further adjust their game plans in order to compete against the world’s 2nd highest ranked Test team in their home conditions.
After a week at home in New Zealand’s early spring the Delhi heat was certainly felt during the side’s first training session.
“If I was to guess the temperature it would be somewhere between 30 and 40, obviously first run around and the boys are sweating it up. It’s pretty hot.”
Bracewell believes the side are all well aware of how to manage the heat.
“Losing a lot of fluid, you obviously sweat a lot, and sometimes you think you are drinking enough but you’re probably not. The most important thing is staying on top of your drinking with how much water you’re taking in."
The team have a few days of training before they play a three-day warm up match against a Mumbai XI on Friday.
The first Test of the series starts on the 22nd of September, in Kanpur.
Source - New Zealand Cricket Website