NZ batsmen must dig in to level India series

NAPIER, New Zealand (Reuters) - Batting time will be key to New Zealand levelling their test series against India on a McLean Park pitch that is likely to produce plenty of runs when the second test begins on Thursday.

New Zealand were thrashed by 10 wickets within four days in the first test in Hamilton and must at least secure a draw to stop the tourists from claiming their first series win in New Zealand since 1968, before next week's final test in Wellington.

The hosts were bowled out for 279 twice at Seddon Park, lasting less than a day in their first innings and just over three sessions in their second, while India's powerful batting lineup ground out 520 in 152.4 overs in their first innings.

"The longevity of the test match game is what's catching us out," New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori told reporters in Napier. "We do things well for maybe a session or two but we're not doing it well enough for four or five.

"That's what the good teams do.

"India played so well in that first test, they seemed to win every key moment."

EXTRA SPINNER

Vettori said he and coach Andy Moles were "leaning" towards including off-spinner Jeetan Patel to partner him in a twin-spin attack with an out-of-form Kyle Mills the most likely to drop out of the playing eleven.