We are enjoying the challenge

New Zealand coach Mark Greatbatch has praised his team's fighting spirit and has said the patience shown by the New Zealand players has been one of the key factors in their performance in India so far. New Zealand, ranked the No. 8 Test side in the world, were under pressure coming into the India tour following their 4-0 ODI series in loss in Bangladesh, but they managed to draw the first two Tests, against the No. 1 side to defy expectations.



"It has been a good war of attrition. The guys have been working hard for the two Tests - 10 days of cricket," Greatbatch told the Indian Express. "And that scenario we need to improve on.

"We have fought hard. We were behind in this game [in Hyderabad] but we caught up pretty well. We are fighting every ball, every over, every hour and every session. We are enjoying the challenge that India is throwing at us."

New Zealand were expected to struggle to take 20 wickets, given the inexperience in their fast bowling attack. But led by captain Daniel Vettori - the leading wicket-taker in the series - the New Zealand bowlers have bowled with discipline, backed by sharp fielding to surprise the Indian batsmen. "There are different plans to what you bowl in say, the UK or New Zealand," Greatbatch said. "The areas to bowl in India are straight. Aiming at the off and middle stump, you bring the lbw and clean-bowled into play. And in case the ball holds the line, there's a high possibility of an edge. If you can control the scoreboard it is a big plus. That way you can bowl a number of dot balls."

One of the positives to emerge from the second Test for New Zealand was the form of Brendon McCullum, promoted to open the innings. McCullum made a match-saving double-century, his highest Test score. "You've got to be patient. If you show patience you get good results. McCullum batted for nine hours and got good results."