Williamson focussed on adapting to subcontinent conditions as NZ face packed Test schedule

New Zealand are bracing for an unusually packed few months featuring six Test matches, including three against India, with senior batter Kane Williamson asserting that adjusting to the subcontinent's conditions will be crucial for the team.

New Zealand kick start their tour of Asia with the one-off Test against Afghanistan, starting here on Monday, following which the Black Caps will fly down to Sri Lanka for a two-Test series before returning to India for three Tests against the hosts.

"We're absolutely going to be challenged in a number of ways (in Asia)," Williamson said on Saturday.

"But the opportunity to have a block here, I think it's important for us as a team to look to grow throughout, pick up the experiences that we're going to have over the next sort of two and a half months and be better for it.

"Nice to be here preparing for the first Test and look forward to those small steps, getting more and more familiar as much as we can to those conditions and looking to try and put together our best cricket." After the Asia tour, New Zealand host England for a three-Test series, starting November, and barring the game against Afghanistan, the rest are a part of their World Test Championships calendar.

"In some ways it's like tournament sport, isn't it? Even though it's over a longer period of time in the Test Championship. But the value of games is high. The context around Test Cricket with the Test Championship is really key.

"Having six Test matches together is a big part of our Test Championship calendar. You know, such a volume of Test cricket that we don't usually get," Williamson conceded.

New Zealand have an underwhelming record in the subcontinent. In India, where they are scheduled to play four games, the Kiwis have managed to win just twice in 36 Test matches.

"As a team, it's really important that we look to grow as a unit, get nice and clear on how we want to play over here (subcontinent)," "We always know that it's a tough challenge whenever you play in these parts of the world. Slightly different to back home, but always a great experience playing against really, really strong sides. So a good opportunity for us.

"It's absolutely about trying to adjust your game, you know, because we're not here consistently in this format. And it goes quite long intervals of not playing here." Williamson, who made his Test debut in India, is one of the leading batters in the world. However, the 34-year-old's record in India and Sri Lanka is far from extraordinary. In 22 innings, he averages 31.36.

"It's absolutely about trying to adjust your game because we're not here consistently in this format. And it goes quite long intervals of not playing here. So, you know, it is trying to sort of familiarise yourself again," Willaimson said when asked about his preparation.

The former skipper reckons spinners will once again dominate proceedings against Afghanistan.

"Yeah, I guess a few unknowns, not having a lot of Test cricket here. No doubt the spinners will play a big role as they often do in this part of the world. So for us, it'll be just looking to adjust as well as we can," he added.