NZ captain Vettori supports adding Indian Test

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said on Tuesday he is excited by the prospect of adding a third Test to India's tour starting in March.

New Zealand cricket captain Daniel Vettori said on Tuesday he is excited by the prospect of adding a third Test to India's tour starting in March.

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Ratnakar Shetty, chief administrative officer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), confirmed on Monday that India had asked New Zealand to schedule an extra Test to offset losses after the cancellation of India's matches against England and Pakistan.

A spokesman for New Zealand Cricket said on Tuesday a decision on India's request was likely to be made this week.

Vettori said a third Test would make a series result more likely.

"I'm pretty excited," he told reporters. "I think most players have been crying out for that third test match style series.

"It gives an opportunity for one team to win the series and probably makes it a little bit more interesting.

"The fact it's India, and the fact they're one of the best teams in the world at the moment... I think everyone would love to make it happen."

New Zealand coach Andy Moles also voiced support for an extra Test, saying it would help develop the New Zealand team.

"I personally think we need to play as much Test match cricket as possible," he said.

"India are one of the better sides in the world so the exposure our players would get from playing them would be very important."

India are scheduled to arrive here on March 1 and play their first match, a Twenty20 clash in Wellington, on March 6.

Five one-day internationals follow before tests starting on March 26 and April 3.