India arrived in New Zealand for their first tour in four years Monday, with captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni saying he will not be taking the “fantastic” Black Caps lightly.
India will play two Tests and five one-dayers against the New Zealanders, in a tour itinerary shortened by one Test and one Twenty 20 due to India’s participation in the Asia Cup in late February.
The tourists’ main interest is likely to be the one-dayers, with the trip allowing them to familiarise themselves with New Zealand conditions ahead of the 2015 World Cup, which the Kiwis will co-host with Australia.
Dhoni, whose side is rated number one in the 50-over format compared to New Zealand’s eighth ranking, said India would not underestimate the Black Caps.
“They will be a fantastic side,” he told reporters after the side arrived in Auckland.
“They’ve got good bowlers in the side now. I would rather go into the series not taking the New Zealand team lightly.
“Especially at home, they’ll know the conditions better than us and for some who have not played here it will be a challenge.”
Dhoni was confident India’s one-day attack, which faced criticism after a series loss in South Africa last month, was capable of lifting its performance, particularly in tight situations.
“It has been a common question, people always talk about our bowlers getting smashed,” he said.
“But we have seen over a period that they have improved, the death bowling has improved.”
The first one-dayer will take place in Napier on Sunday.
The specs: 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor
Price, base / as tested Dh220,000 / Dh320,000
Engine 3.5L V6
Transmission 10-speed automatic
Power 421hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 678Nm @ 3,750rpm
Fuel economy, combined 14.1L / 100km
Test
Director: S Sashikanth
Cast: Nayanthara, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, R Madhavan
Star rating: 2/5
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Other ways to buy used products in the UAE
UAE insurance firm Al Wathba National Insurance Company (AWNIC) last year launched an e-commerce website with a facility enabling users to buy car wrecks.
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Physical salvage car auctions are a common method for insurers around the world to move on heavily damaged vehicles, but AWNIC is one of the few UAE insurers to offer such services online.
For cars and less sizeable items such as bicycles and furniture, Dubizzle is arguably the best-known marketplace for pre-loved.
Founded in 2005, in recent years it has been joined by a plethora of Facebook community pages for shifting used goods, including Abu Dhabi Marketplace, Flea Market UAE and Arabian Ranches Souq Market while sites such as The Luxury Closet and Riot deal largely in second-hand fashion.
At the high-end of the pre-used spectrum, resellers such as Timepiece360.ae, WatchBox Middle East and Watches Market Dubai deal in authenticated second-hand luxury timepieces from brands such as Rolex, Hublot and Tag Heuer, with a warranty.
David Haye record
Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4
