Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
New Zealand must compete in the Test matches against India to earn respect once again in this version of cricket.
The Kiwis have been dismal in Tests recently. This is reflected by their eighth position in the rankings.
The team just doesn't seem to fire in the longer version. This has been accentuated since Daniel Vettori took over as captain.
Vettori is a world-class player but somehow he has failed to inspire the team. Probably the loss of some key players through retirement must be weighing on his mind.
The biggest blow has been that of Shane Bond. The premier fast bowler is now playing in the ostracised Indian Cricket League (ICL) in India.
With Stephen Fleming, Craig McMillan and Chris Cairns now retired, New Zealand have been struggling to establish a steady batting line-up.
Compounding the problem is the number of injuries to Jacob Oram. The tall all-rounder is often missing than in action.
The best thing that has happened to New Zealand cricket is the exit of John Bracewell as coach. The former New Zealand off-spinner did injustice to the team through quirky selections and tactics.
New coach Andy Moles is a steady character which is welcome for the team. Moles has plenty of talent to work with.
Players like Ross Taylor, Jesse Ryder and Mark Guptill are a talented bunch who need to tighten up their skills a little bit to deliver regularly.
Taylor is a fine batsman who has all the strokes in the book but needs to temper them to meet the needs of Test cricket. There is no doubt that Taylor will improve as time goes by and will become the star player.
The bulky Ryder's fondness for the stronger liquids has got him into trouble. But he is earnestly trying to get rid of the habit.
Ryder has shown that he is made of the right stuff in all versions of the game. His short Test career has been a success so far.
Guptill has done well in the one-dayers and has all the makings of a top class Test opener.
Another positive for New Zealand is that Brendon McCullum is willing to stay at the wicket these days and build an innings instead of throwing it away after a brisk 50 or 60.
If McCullum continues in this vein, he could be easily slotted high up in the order to accommodate another bowler or an all-rounder.
The Kiwis do lack a genuine fast bowler like Bond but they have a good battery of seamers led by Kyle Mills.
Iain O'Brien has turned himself into a wicket-taker and Tim Southee is improving by the day.
What the Kiwis lack at the moment is that that extra special effort which has been missing since the days of Fleming and Cairns.
They will be hoping that Oram finally keeps fit for the entire series. Big Jake has the magic touch that makes him special.
Strong India may be difficult to beat. But the Kiwis have been known to upset the Big Boys before. They must do it now to gain credibility once more.
