Vettori keen on extra Test against India

Daniel Vettori, the New Zealand captain, has welcomed the news of India possibly playing an extra Test on their tour to his country. "I'm pretty excited," Vettori said. "I think most players have been crying out for that third Test-match style series."

A gap has opened in India's international calendar after their tour of Pakistan was called off and the BCCI has sent a request to New Zealand Cricket to add another match to the two-Test series.

New Zealand's coach Andy Moles has already given his thumbs-up for the idea.

India will make their way to New Zealand in March on the back of two series wins - at home - against Australia and England and Vettori said it would be exciting to compete against "one of the best teams in the world".

"I think everyone would love to make it happen. I'm not sure if logistically it can happen but if it's do-able, I'd love to see it happen."

After their ODI series against West Indies concludes on January 13, New Zealand head to Australia for five one-dayers in February.

The series against India starts on March 6 with a Twenty20, followed by five ODIs and two Tests, the second of which ends on April 7. With the Indian Premier League scheduled to start on April 10, the only way to fit in an extra Test is to begin the tour earlier.