Bouncy track awaits India in Test series opener

bouncy track with a good sprinkling of grass awaits India in the first Test of the three-match cricket series against New Zealand starting here on Wednesday, casting the die for a veritable war of attrition between bat and ball.
One look at the wicket would convince anyone that the Kiwis, who had the Indians in a spot of bother on a lively Eden Park deck in the last ODI at Auckland, would use swing and seam to arrest the Indian batsmen who have been on a rampage on this tour.
Though curator Karl Jackson said he would eventually shear the pitch of its "excess" grass, there should be appreciable assistance for seamers, who could be lethal if the conditions are overcast.
The conditions would demand great discipline from the Indian batsmen to collar a seam attack, spearheaded by Franklyn James, an ace at swinging the ball.
Kyle Mills, who on his day can trouble established batsmen, Iain O'Brien and either Chris Martin or new-find Brent Arnel could form the seam quartet.
The wily Daniel Vettori (286 wickets in 89 Tests) could provide fizz and turn in case the quicks fail.