Ganguly confident Indian spirits will be high for World Cup

Ensuring that India emerge from their tour of New Zealand with spirits high heading into the World Cup was the hope of skipper Sourav Ganguly before tomorrow's sixth National Bank Series match in Auckland.

The Indians have been real drought breakers in most parts of the country they have visited, although that hasn't been too difficult in some areas they have been to, and it does seem tomorrow's game will be rain affected.

While India had won their first game by two wickets in Wellington on Wednesday, they could still have done better, Ganguly said.

Whatever happens in the remainder of the series, Ganguly was still certain his side would go to South Africa in a confident frame of mind. And that reason for that was simple.

"Because we have played well in one-day cricket over a longer period of time. And one poor series doesn't say it is the end of the road, or the end of everything. It would be good for us to win the next two as well," he said.

Many of the games had been close run affairs and India had been on the wrong end and while his own form had been poor, he said the only way to get out of it was to tell yourself that you would get out of it. Having to look after the side's overall position was also demanding when he was out of form himself

"It is always hard when you haven't scored runs, but that is what the job is.

"You are captain of a side, and you know most batsmen have struggled. You have just got to keep them going because it is a matter of one innings. We have fantastic records in one-day cricket after playing all around the world and we've just got to keep them going."

India wouldn't be looking at making changes because there was no-one batting so much better than anyone else to warrant changes.

Ganguly did reflect on the development of the New Zealand side that India have been playing.

Fast bowler Shane Bond was a key element of the side.

"Shane Bond is the key to your success wherever you go because he has the quality to bowl on all sorts of wickets," he said.

"[Jacob] Oram has come off well this series, but he's still got a long way to prove himself, the conditions suited him. He's got to travel around the world and play consistently and then you can pass judgment.

"[Daryl] Tuffey has done well in this series. He's come back after being dropped for a number of times.

"Overall these are the three key players as the batsmen have all had a torrid time.

"I still feel Bond is the key to the team. It is good to see Cairnsey [Chris Cairns] back because I admire him as a cricketer and as a person as well.

"[Andre] Adams will increase the depth in the New Zealand side but it is still early days for him," he said.