By Chris Barclay of NZPA

Napier, March 29 NZPA - After watching India unveil an almost flawless batting display, New Zealand cricket coach Andy Moles conceded only opposition errors can promote his team's chances of achieving a series-levelling second test victory at McLean Park.

Another collapse similar to the six for 59 India lost in their first innings is realistically the only hope New Zealand have of translating three days of dominance into success on tomorrow's final day.

It was undeniably India's time in the sun today as Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar staged an impressive fightback after the tourists were asked to follow on yesterday.

The original 314-run deficit has been trimmed to 62 but crucially India still have eight wickets in reserve after Dravid was the only casualty during 90 overs of stingy bowling and conservative strokeplay.

India resume tomorrow on 252 for two. Gambhir is on 102 and Tendulkar 58, with New Zealand needing to dismiss both tomorrow plus VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh, ideally before lunch.

"We're looking for two or three mistakes and as we've seen in the first innings there's a bit of tail in this Indian team," Moles said.

"They've got a magnificent front five or six but as we've seen if we bowl well and things go our way we can get quick wickets."

New Zealand only secured one fortuitous wicket when Rahul Dravid was caught bat pad off a nonexistent edge and Moles admitted his team needed more luck to "get the opportunity to push for the win we deserve".

Moles, a former opening batsman, said New Zealand can expect no assistance from a pitch that continues to give negligible encouragement to the bowlers.

"It's hard to see any wear or tear on it," he said.

"If we'd started today we could play another five days and it would still be an exceptional surface.

"You're looking for mistakes from the batters rather than the ball misbehaving."

Dravid, who made a typically defiant 62 during a four-hour stay, felt India's task in saving the game was only half done but the team were confident of taking their 1-0 lead to Wellington where the final test starts on Friday.

"It was a tough grinding day for us," he said.

"We've not been put in this position a lot over the last year. We found ourselves with our backs to the wall yesterday and we needed some character, we needed some fight and we showed that," he said.

"We could have rolled over but we've fought back hard."

Like Moles, Dravid realised the session to lunch tomorrow is critical.

"We know New Zealand will come hard in the first two hours, that's their only chance so we can't be complacent and think the test match is over.

"We had a crazy hour (yesterday) where we lost six wickets quickly and we have to be aware of that and ensure that doesn't happen."

Although India cannot wrap up the series, Dravid said by prolonging their innings they could at least tire New Zealand's attack.

India's first innings lasted 93.5 overs. The second has consumed 107 so India should at least achieve that goal.

"The ideal scenario is make them bowl 270 overs going to Wellington. Backing up three days later is not going to be easy," Dravid said.

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