Bracewell banks on India series to ready New Zealand for T20 World Cup

Michael Bracewell, the 34-year-old all-rounder and stand-in captain of New Zealand, believes the upcoming white-ball series in India is ideal preparation for the February-March T20 World Cup.

"To be here and get used to the weather is definitely going to put us in a better state for the World Cup, but we have got a big series ahead of that – the ODIs and T20 series in the build-up – so that's very important for us, and we are looking forward to them," Bracewell said during an event in Mumbai on Tuesday.

"We've obviously got a huge one-day series and then a T20 series against India. Being over here, playing in local conditions and getting used to the weather is vitally important for us. It's great to be here a way out from the World Cup and try and get used to the conditions over here."

The New Zealand skipper is excited about the youngsters in his side. "We've got a couple of young faces coming in. One player who has done well and hasn't toured here with the New Zealand side is Zak Foulkes. He's burst onto the international scene and done really well at the top, opening the bowling for us, swinging the ball late, and had a great series against England at home. He's one I'm certainly looking forward to seeing bowl in these conditions."

New Zealand play three ODIs, followed by five T20Is in India, starting January 11 in Baroda.