‘New Zealand face ‘rout’ against champions India’

Wellington: Former Bangladesh and now Wellington coach, James Siddons, has said that nothing new can be expected from New Zealand’s two-Test tour of India.

Thrashed 2-0 by the West Indies in their most recent series, New Zealand face an even more difficult assignment when they meet India in the first test at Hyderabad, starting on Thursday. Siddons said: “I think they were very much underdone - that was probably the biggest thing you could tell. The players weren`t ready for the contest and the West Indies were. They`ll be a little bit better prepared now, but they`re coming up against a far, far better opponent. It`s going to be difficult.” “I`ve got my opinions about where we need to go in this country to get better and I`ve got 15 [Wellington] players that are listening at the moment. Hopefully I can produce a couple of good players for the Black Caps in a year or two.” A few months back it appeared as if Siddons might get an opportunity to impart his knowledge to the Black Caps themselves, stuff.co.nz reports. John Buchanan had sounded Siddons out about taking over New Zealand``s one-day programme, which the Wellington coach was considering. But once Mike Hesson succeeded John Wright as head coach, and appointed Bob Carter as batting coach, the former said that meant there would be no role for Siddons. ANI