New Zealand coach Mike Hesson has told his fast bowlers to welcome the Indian batsmen with aggression when they clash in the five-match ODI series, starting in Napier on Sunday.
"It's aggression in terms of where you bowl the ball, the pace you bowl and the areas you bowl. You're not just running up and putting it there and hoping good things will happen, you're actually trying to make things happen. We've got a few guys who do that naturally, so we'll certainly be encouraging that," Hesson said.
"If you just try and deny there comes a time in the game with only four fielders out where it's extremely hard to defend. If you're able to keep taking wickets at the top you can control those middle overs. That's a pattern that's worked well for us and one we'd certainly look to continue," Hesson said.
Hesson said the pitch at the McLean Park will play true to its character.
"Quick, bouncy, a good wicket, a high-scoring game, that's the pattern we get there and it's been pretty consistent," he said.
Curator Phil Stoyanoff has also said that even though the surface would be hard and bouncy, it will be a high-scoring game, where pacemen can be punished to the short side boundaries if they err in line.
Hesson also hoped to play new sensation Adam Milne, who troubled the Caribbean batsmen with his raw pace, in the Napier ODI.
Tim Southee is sure to play and either Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan or Kyle Mills will miss out.
Hesson said Mills has been an asset to the team and if he makes it to the playing eleven, he will have the new ball.
"Kyle has been a great performer for a long time and if he plays he'll use the new ball. We used him first change in the subcontinent and he did a good job. But him not having the new ball here negates some of his qualities. All four of the guys know that there's competition for places and that's a really good thing," Hesson said.
New Zealand arrived in Napier on Thursday while the Indians landed on Monday.
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