Christchurch: Aware that India has not won a Test series in New Zealand for over three decades, captain Saurav Ganguly on Monday said his side was better equipped to reverse the trend, having been far more consistent in alien conditions this year.

"We have played well this year and have been quite consistent. We will try our best," said Ganguly, soon after his team landed on a 47-day tour, which will include two Tests and seven One-day Internationals against the hosts. Ganguly, who was mindful of the fact that India has not won a Test series here since 1967-68 and had a 4-6 winning Test record in New Zealand, is just one victory away from equalling Mohammad Azharuddin's feat of 14 wins as Test captain. Coach John Wright was equally upbeat on his team's chances though he cautioned that the conditions in New Zealand would be very difficult and demanding. "Teams find it hard to play in New Zealand because the wicket seams a lot. "You could get the odd good wicket but with the ball moving about quite a bit, it's not easy. "Then it can get very cold and windy and wet - so it can be a very demanding tour." Wright drew comfort from his batsmen's showing in home and alien conditions in the past one year and made a special mention of recent tour to England where India drew the four-Test series 1-1 besides winning the Natwest Trophy. "We are a strong batting line-up and have proved formidable not only in India but also away from home." "For example we did well at Nottingham and Leeds during England's tour - pitches similar to those we find in New Zealand," Wright said. Indians start the tour with a Super Max International at Jade Stadium on Wednesday, followed by a three-day warm up game against Central Districts before the start of the first of the two Tests in Basin Reserve, Wellington, from December 12. Wright said the team's build up was good and even though one or two places were up for grabs in the One-day team, the core was pretty much established. "Maybe we are looking for one or two players but the team is fairly settled and I am pleased with our progress." With Rahul Dravid doing the wicket-keeper-batsman's role, the team has more depth in the batting line-up with Virender Sehwag adding his dash at the start of the innings pushing master batsman Sachin Tendulkar at number four to manoeuvre the innings in the end. India is likely to miss the services of old war-horse Anil Kumble in the Test series who opted out citing personal reasons. In the absence of Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and young left-arm spinner Murali Kartik will have to shore up the spin strength. Wright is not worried about his bowlers though saying Sehwag and Tendulkar could be useful slow bowlers in the coming series. "Sehwag is useful and Tendulkar can bowl anything," said Wright. Extras:
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