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India have to pull themselves up

Dicky Rutnagur in Wellington

While India can justifiably feel upbeat after winning the second one-day international against New Zealand in Napier on Tuesday, they should neither be complacent about the three remaining matches nor should they overlook the fact that their performance was below par in every department.

India won largely because New Zealand, playing under a captain of very little experience, Dion Nash, lost direction when batting, though they fought back ferociously in defence of their meagre score of 213.

The Kiwis extended the visitors to the last over of match and lost by just two wickets, and that after one of their frontline bowlers, Geoff Allott, pulled out of the match with a hamstring injury after bowling just 14 deliveries.

They have drafted 24-year-old Chris Drum from Auckland to replace Allott, but it is unlikely that he will play in the third match in Wellington. Simon Doull, who was rested for the second match, will fill the vacancy.

Despite their shortcomings, India will not make any changes in the side that won at Napier because they have no options. But any criticism of their performance must be tempered by the fact that they are beginning to look a very tired side after having played two back-to-back Tests and then gone straight in to the one-day series.

When they begin the match at the Basin Reserve on Thursday, less than 36 hours will have elapsed since the end of the day-night game in Napier. And of those 36 hours, four were spent in travel.

Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Steve Rixon said he will continue to promote positive running between the wickets despite a bewildering five run-outs in the second ODI.

Rixon said running had been the main point of discussion at Wednesday's training session, but there was never a question of settling for a more conservative approach.

"The issue needed to be addressed because it was diabolical in Napier," the former Australian wicket-keeper said. "But so often our running has been so good, so one bad day is not anything to panic about."

Captain Stephen Fleming rejoined the side on Wednesday after undergoing an ultrasound scan on his troublesome groin in Christchurch on Tuesday.

The tests revealed a slight tear and Fleming will not play in the third match, but he is a likely starter in Auckland on Saturday.

New Zealand: Dion Nash (captain), Matthew Horne, Bryan Young, Craig McMillan, Roger Twose, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Chris Harris, Daniel Vettori, Gavin Larsen, Simon Doull and Chris Drum (one to be omitted).

India: Mohammed Azharuddin (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Saurav Ganguly, Rahul Dravid, Ajay Jadeja, Robin Singh Sr, Nayan Mongia, Javagal Srinath, Anil Kumble, Nikhil Chopra, Venkatesh Prasad and Hrishikesh Kanitkar (two to be omitted).

Umpires: Dave Quested, Evan Watkin.

Third umpire: Steve Dunne.

Additional reporting by AP