Franklin ready for India mission

New Zealand's James Franklin says he is ready to restart his international career on the tour of India.

Franklin has not played a first-class game since March, and has found it hard to nail down a regular test spot.

But he will use his experience - he made his debut against Pakistan in 2001 - to help the Black Caps rise to the formidable challenge of facing India in the first test in Hyderabad.

He is likely to bat at No 6 in New Zealand's two-test affair with the Indians and provide an option as a fourth seamer.

Franklin has featured regularly in Twenty20 matches, including a spell with the Mumbai Indians in the IPL and Essex in England.

"Over the last 10 years I'd like to think I've gained a hell of a lot more experience as a player and particularly in all sorts of conditions," he said.

"So, over the past few years, particularly in first-class cricket I've managed to build up a pretty good record and even though my chances in the test arena have been few and far between I feel as though my game's in pretty good shape.

"If I can get myself in a good mental state before this first test starting on Thursday - and that develops through training over the past few days and then carries on for the next couple - then if I get selected, I'd like to think that I can contribute in a significant way for New Zealand."

Franklin believes New Zealand should not be overawed, despite facing a star-studded line-up that includes Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Virat Kohli and MS Dhoni.

"You can't get too fazed by that or else you're going to lose before you even step over the line to play the game," he said.

"So we've just got to boil it down to one-on-one contests, batsman versus bowler and look to compete in that first session on day one and that's all you can do.

"We can't look too far ahead to days four and five. We've got to keep it as simple as we can."

Skipper Ross Taylor confirmed earlier in the week that Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill will open the batting, but the rest of the lineup remains unclear.

Leg-spinner Tarun Nethula appears likely to make his test debut, given the absence of regular bowler Daniel Vettori who is out with a groin injury.

Meanwhile, Australia are 1213.00 to win the 2012 World Twenty20.

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