Since the last match fixing scandal; 2000; India have a collective 14 wins against 9 losses against the teams that will contest the latest version of the Ashes but having ignored New Zealand in favor of more revenue generating cricket, the effects of the 2002 designer green tops are being felt even today. Head to Head NZ have the upper hand over India.
Talk of India winning 3-0 are not entirely misplaced but should spite the likes of Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, McCullum and Vetorri into denying India only their 3rd clean sweep.
I remember watching in horror in 1988 John Bracewell and Sir Richard Hadlee bring India down to size at the Wankhede stadium, taking 18 wickets amongst themselves. That was one series India should have won 3-0. Of course that Indian side was seriously in transition and this New Zealand side does not have a Richard Hadlee. But I am cautioning myself, that if John Bracewell can win a Test for New Zealand on Days 4 and 5, Vetorri needs to be handled expertly. He is a threat no doubt.
