If any criticism can be made of the pitch at Basin Reserve, it is that a bit more help for the spinners on the last two days would have been welcome. But, all in all, it was a splendid Test-match pitch. Batsmen and bowlers both had their moments, the bounce was true and even on the last day, and a decisive result was obtained.
The Basin's English groundsman, Trevor Jackson, says: ``A lot of scientific research has been done, not only with different varieties of grass, but also with various soils and I think we are getting there in producing really good pitches.''
The square on the ground where the third Test begins tomorrow has also been relaid and the pitch will be quicker and bouncier than the one on which India played a one-off Test in 1993-94 - a dreary draw.
Hamilton is the newest of the country's Test venues. It has hosted five Test matches, of which three were drawn. However, Steve Rixon, the New Zealand coach, says he has been assured that the pitch for this match will be result-orientated.
New Zealand need only a draw to take the series. India must win to square it. But their bowling and fielding are at such low levels that a victory seems beyond them. Who would believe that last March, very much this same side bowled out Australia for 328 and 168 and 233 and 181 to win the first two Tests and clinch the rubber?
India's bowling has little depth and their fielding in Wellington was embarrassing. But they have enough batting talent to raise a big score and put the opposition under pressure. If they do not, or cannot, do so regularly, it is because they overlook the fundamentals of batting in Test-match cricket.
Infuriated after their defeat in Wellington, India's captain Mohammad Azharuddin said that there will be changes in the side for tomorrow's Test. They will not be picked until late today. New Zealand had to look outside the squad they picked for the second Test only because Nathan Astle is injured. His replacement is the former Warwickshire opener Roger Twose, who will make his ninth appearance for his adopted country.
New Zealand (from): *S P Fleming, M D Bell, M J Horne, R G Twose, C D McMillan, C L Cairns, -A C Parore, D J Nash, D L Vettori, S B Doull, G I Allott, P J Wiseman.
India (from): *M Azharuddin, N S Sidhu, A D Jadeja, V V S Laxman, R S Dravid, S R Tendulkar, S C Ganguly, -N R Mongia, A Kumble, J Srinath, S Joshi, V B K Prasad, D Mohanty.