Sourav Ganguly expressed confidence that his team was well-equipped to deal with New Zealand's pace attack in the forthcoming two-Test series. "We always expect pacy pitches when we go abroad, so there's nothing to worry about," said Ganguly after his team's indoor training session at the Westpac Stadium.

New Zealand have picked a pace-dominated attack for the first Test starting at Basin Reserve on Thursday. Daniel Vettori is the only spinner on a pitch expected to favour quick bowlers.

"It's good for both the teams," Ganguly said. "It's good for bowlers, but we are not worried about the pitch as we have batsmen to deliver. We did well in England in the same conditions."

India drew a tough four-Test series 1-1 in England this year after losing the opening match at Lord's. "Our top six batsmen have been among the runs this year. Virender Sehwag has got a hundred as an opener in England, while Sachin (Tendulkar) and Rahul (Dravid) are both experienced batsmen.

"It's a short series, so there's little chance of a fightback if we slip in the first Test. We have to make sure we do well here."

Ganguly refused to dismiss the Test series as only a sideshow to the seven ODIs scheduled on the current tour as preparation for the World Cup. "I think Tests are more important than one-dayers," said Ganguly, who is yet to lead India to an overseas Test series win since taking over the captaincy from Tendulkar in 2000.

"That has been a big worry. We came close to winning an away Test series in Zimbabwe, England and the West Indies, but just could not pull it off. We have to be more consistent in both batting and bowling," he said.

India have been buoyed by news that Zaheer Khan had recovered from a knee injury and would be fit for the first Test. Zaheer was rested after two Tests against the West Indies in the recent three-match home series. He also did not figure in his team's only three-day game against Central Districts last week.

"Zaheer is fit for the opening Test," said Ganguly. He said the home team was likely to feel the absence of allrounder Chris Cairns, who pulled out of the first Test due to a knee injury. "But they are still a very good team and fast bowler Shane Bond looks an excellent prospect," observed Ganguly.

Meanwhile John Wright, the Indian team coach, said his side would field a pace quartet that included Ashish Nehra, to make best use of a wicket said to be the liveliest seen in recent times at the Basin Reserve.

The conditions have largely been influenced by persistent bad weather in the last fortnight, though vandals running away with covers and home captain Stephen Fleming's not-so-subtle request to groundsman have contributed to the state of the pitch.

Both Wright and Ganguly expressed their satisfaction at how Nehra has performed so far on tour. Ajit Agarkar and Sanjay Bangar are expected to complete the medium-pace quartet.

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd