kiwi coach calls for green pitches for India Test series

New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has asked for green pitches when India tour the country early next year, saying his team never get ‘any favours’ as far as the wickets are concerned when they travel to India. Hesson said he would be ‘disappointed’ if the curators do not dish out green seaming tracks for the two Tests in Auckland and Wellington. ‘We’ll back our seamers over anyone’s at the moment. We know these conditions as a batting group. Our batsmen bat on conditions that nip around in first-class cricket so they’re used to it and it can expose your technique if you’re not. I think everyone’s aware of the type of surface that we’d like. We’ve been in India before and they’ve changed the pitch the day before a game because it wasn’t quite as dry as they would like. We certainly don’t get any favours when we travel, so I’d be disappointed if we provide any at home,’ the coach told ESPNcricinfo. India will play New Zealand in a five-match ODI series in January, followed by two Tests at Eden Park and Basin Reserve between February 6 and 18. India won the last Test series in New Zealand 1-0, registering win in Hamilton with offspinner Harbhajan Singh taking six wickets in second innings.