In India the travelling contingent rarely exceeded 300 and that meant that the test match centres could easily cope with the arrival of the English supporters.

They'll be many more England fans in New Zealand

However, the New Zealand Cricket Board estimates that the number travelling as part of tour groups may be up to 2000 fans whilst backpackers may represent another 3000.

Imagine for a minute how many bunk-beds you need to accommodate that lot and it could be that a few fans will need to drink through the night to stay warm!

On the road

Other than negotiating the Cook Strait, New Zealand is incredibly easy to get around.

Coach, train, hired cars and even cut-price plane journeys are cheap, comfortable and far quicker than the now legendary 42 hour train journey that ferried fans between Ahmedabad and Bangalore in December.

Of course, cheapest of the lot is hitching between towns.

Even with only three days between the majority of the matches, there should be ample time to get from place to place although long hours on cold, wet slip roads are par for the course.

Rumour has it that a camper van hired by one of the England fans to travel from Wellington to Auckland has already got around 20 people 'booked' on board and a few more could be added as it kicks on north.

The kit-bag containing a pair of trousers, two pairs of shorts, three t-shirts and a pair of flip-flops that represented my whole wardrobe in India is also going to have to be supplemented for the second leg of the winter.

With the tour scheduled to last until the 3rd of April, well into the New Zealand autumn, one or two extra layers of clothing (including shoes, socks and a rain coat) will need to find themselves a place in the rucksack.

Whilst the rain which descended on Bangalore could be described as refreshing, sitting a New Zealand downpour in only shorts and a t-shirt is not what you travel halfway across the globe for.

England will play their first warm-up game in picturesque surroundings

One hidden gem that England supporters might not be aware of is the venue for England's opening first-class game of the tour.

The John Davies Oval in Queenstown is tucked away in the Remarkables Mountain Range which form a stunning backdrop to proceedings in the middle.

As adrenalin junkies throughout the world will tell you Queenstown is the place to get your fix of bungee jumping, white water rafting and skydiving.

So expect Queenstown's bars, for three nights only, to hear the chatter the adrenalin fuelled backpacker mingling with those who like to take life a little more easily.