Kane Williamson to lead Black Caps in India

Kane Williamson, pictured with Tauranga's Lachlan Balfour, is excited about captaining the Black Caps this summer. PHOTO/FILE

Kane Williamson is about to lead the Black Caps in the most intense summer of cricket since the World Cup was last held in New Zealand.

Tonight the team flies out to India for a month of ODI and T20 matches against the dominant home side that has reduced Australia to anguish over the last two months.

The Black Caps return home in November to prepare for the visits of the West Indies, Pakistan, Australia and England in mostly white ball cricket, with test matches now regarded as a lesser priority.

The home summer begins with a test against West Indies in December and ends with two against England in March, but in between, there are 13 ODIs and 10 T20 matches to look forward to.

Williamson is energised about leading his team against the world's best players over the next few months.

"The fact that India have been playing some one-day cricket at home is a helpful thing for them going into another series, but at the same time it is a new challenge for us," he said.

"We are all looking forward to getting over there, but we know it will be a tough challenge in India. We know we will need to be at our best. It is a new start for us, so we look forward to the series ahead."

Last year the Black Caps competed strongly against the home side in India, losing the ODI series 3-2.

Williamson would like more of the same.

"When we there last, there were some really positive things. Obviously, to go into the last game 2-2 was a good thing so it would be nice to go one further in this series."

The Black Caps then play the West Indies, Pakistan and England in home series, with a tri-series T20 tournament against Australia and England in the mix as well.

Williamson is excited about what lies ahead this summer.

"We have a busy home summer and some strong competition. I mean every opportunity you have at the international level is tough competition, and we have some very tough teams coming.

"A lot of it is white-ball cricket, so it will be important for the white ball side to get a little bit of momentum and real clarity around our approach this summer. Hopefully, if we do that like we have managed to in the last couple of years, we will get some good results.

"It is taking those small steps to try and achieve that."

Another highlight of the summer for Williamson will be leading out his Black Caps under new floodlights at Mount Maunganui's Bay Oval.

For a born-and-bred Tauranga boy, they will be special occasions for him.

"Yeah, absolutely it will be great. There is plenty of cricket here this summer in the Bay which is exciting and great for the city and area. For the ground and all the work that has been done there, to get so much international cricket there is great.

"Hopefully in time, there will be some test cricket there. That would be a huge achievement."