Cricket: McIntosh seeks second test redemption

This time it's personal for Tim McIntosh.

The New Zealand opening batsman has a score to settle with fast bowler Zaheer Khan, and a point to prove to himself, when the second cricket test against India starts in Hyderabad today.

The left-hander is coming off a pair from the drawn first test when the crafty Zaheer showed he still has the New Zealander's number.

McIntosh's two visits to the crease lasted 16 balls at Ahmedabad where Zaheer continued to dog him, having him caught behind and trapped leg before wicket to maintain a stranglehold on the batsman first established in New Zealand early last summer.

Then McIntosh fell to the left-armer in three of five innings when he managed just 60 runs at an average of 12 for the series. So his double failure in the first test of the current series means he will not be lacking for motivation when the tourists arrive at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, India's newest test venue.

"I'm actually looking forward to confronting him again," said McIntosh.

"I want to get one over him here."

He hasn't dwelled too deeply on his twin setbacks from the first test, rightly rationalising that an opener's lot is not always a happy one.

"It's part of the game you just have to live with at times. You always hope it goes your way but sometimes it doesn't. You just have to put it behind you and look for the next opportunity."

While he has yet to bother the scorers in this series, McIntosh has already seen enough of Zaheer to appreciate the threat he poses with the new ball.

"He's a good, intelligent swing bowler and he has the ability to move the ball in both directions."

McIntosh has prepared for the second test by spending time in the nets facing New Zealand's own left-arm quick bowler Andy McKay.

New Zealand will make at least one change from the XI used in the first test, as fast bowler Hamish Bennett has returned home with a groin injury.

His replacement, all-rounder James Franklin, joined the tourists for a lengthy nets session yesterday.

It's yet to be determined whether New Zealand will stick with the two seamer-two spinner attack used in the first test, or omit offspinner Jeetan Patel and go with a three-pronged seam unit.

INDIA v NZ - TEAMS

NEW ZEALAND (FROM)
Daniel Vettori (c), Brendon McCullum, Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling, Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder, Kane Williamson, Gareth Hopkins, Tim Southee, Jeetan Patel, Chris Martin, James Franklin, Martin Guptill, Andy McKay, Brent Arnel.

INDIA (FROM)
MS Dhoni (c), Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Harbhajan Singh, Zaheer Khan, Pragyan Ojha, Shantakumaran Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma, Cheteshwar Pujara, Amit Mishra, Murali Vijay.

UMPIRES
Simon Taufel (Australia) and Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka).

WHAT: 2nd Test, India vs Black Caps
WHERE: Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad
WHEN: Day 1 from 5pm (NZT)
TV: Sky Sport 1

- NZPA