Even though the first game of our tour was something of a non-event, it was a rude awakening for the boys who had enjoyed the last three months off.
 |  I for one am sick of net play. I just need to get out there and play some cricket |
Due to heavy rain and a very muddy playing surface at Visakhapatnam we effectively lost the first two days, then we lost the toss and fielded the whole of the third and final day. We took one wicket.
On the positive side it gave our spinners, Dan Vettori and Paul Wiseman, some valuable time at the bowling crease.
But for the most part it was a long, hot first day of the season for all concerned. And because it was the first we are not looking too deeply into it.
The day made it very clear that bowling an Indian cricket side out over here is going to be a great challenge.
Even though we lacked penetration, I'm personally not overly concerned with the bowling.
However, the experience told us that to win a game here, in the conditions we expect, we are going to have to make very large scores.
Due to the rain we lost valuable batting time. No-one has had time out in the middle, which early on in your season is crucial.
As a batting unit we need to get it right and get it right fast.
 Rain curtailed us in Visakhapatnam, but we are raring to go |
I'm confident we will get three full days in Rajkot, and the atmosphere feels drier and the pitch looks a belter.
When we turned up for training on Wednesday, there was six excellent nets available and a ton of net bowlers, all keen as mustard.
Back home you are lucky to get one half-decent practice surface. Some people call this country third world but when it comes to cricket, I feel it is most definitely first-class.
On the health front, one week gone and all is okay. I personally enjoy Indian food and am even managing to put on a bit of beef.
The heat is proving a challenge for most of us and a few guys have suffered some mild heat stroke.
It is a far cry from full steamer wetsuits and freezing water on the Auckland surfing beaches.
I am for the most part finding India an interesting place and it is hard to overlook the sheer enthusiasm for cricket.
Everywhere we go we are greeted by smiling faces, and a trip to the supermarket is a major military operation.
Even the walk from the hotel entrance to the bus always involves a crowd. Lots of fun, though.
MMIX
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