AUCKLAND, Feb 9: The South African cricket team arrived in New Zealand looking for batsman-friendly conditions in the six-match one-day series, but captain Graeme Smith said on Monday he has no problems if the wickets are prepared to suit the home team.

The Proteas begin their seven-week tour with a warm-up match against Northern Districts in Hamilton on Wednesday and play the first One-day International against the New Zealand Black Caps in Auckland on Friday.

A three-Test series follows next month. The South Africans are fresh from a home Test and one-day series win over the West Indies on pitches which have more bounce and carry than the slower conditions in New Zealand.

"But it will be interesting what they prepare for the one-day games. Hopefully they will prepare the best wickets possible for one-day cricket," Smith said, but adding he accepted home sides getting favourable conditions. "Maybe it's one of the advantages of playing at home," he said. "It's about having conditions to suit yourselves and that's what touring is all about. It's about adapting to the conditions.

"We've done well in South Africa on what have been good wickets. If you want to be the best team in the world you have to win around the world." Smith, 23, took over the South African captaincy last March after Shaun Pollock was sacked following the Proteas' early exit from the World Cup.

The top order batsman, with a Test average of 58.78 from 21 appearances, said the fact New Zealand has never lost a series to South Africa did not mean his side faced any extra pressure. "We are starting fresh," he said. "We cut off from the World Cup and we are moving forward. We want to be successful. It's part of the learning curve." -AFP