NZ chase pride in dead rubber

BY JONATHAN MILLMOW

New Zealand couldn't rise to the big occasion but can they rise to the small?

Two substandard performances during the week mean today's fifth Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-dayer against Australia at Westpac Stadium is a dreaded dead rubber.

With nothing on it, both teams are giving their dirt-trackers a run, Nathan McCullum for New Zealand and possibly Clint McKay, and newcomer, George Bailey, for the Australians.

New Zealand batting coach Mark Greatbatch was placed under the pump yesterday.

The side's been bowled out three times in four games, they've scored just three half centuries, compared to eight and one century by Australia, and seemingly no-one wants to do the hard yards at the crease.

Greatbatch admits his batsmen have disappointed but said the results had to be put in perspective.

"Yes our batting is not consistent enough. If guys get in they have to finish the job, they know that, but they are competing against good opposition.

"Our side is not world class, we're ranked fourth in the world, they're ranked first.

"We had a chance to go 2-0 up, didn't take it and we can't look back now, it's over.

"We can look at what we have done well and what we haven't and try and do better."

That started with a debrief when the side arrived in Wellington.

The message has gone out to the top order of Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill and Ross Taylor to bat for longer, rotate the strike better and be ruthless.

Greatbatch believes his batsmen are good enough, but are not playing smart enough.

"When you get into a position to beat a really good side, you have to have the courage to keep going and I think we are just short of that at the moment," Greatbatch said.

"We're trying to get these guys to play as fearlessly as they can against the best in the world, which is not always easy.

"You've got to encourage them to play their best game and there's going to be some mistakes along the way."

New Zealand have 22 more one-day internationals before next year's World Cup in Asia and a player like Shanan Stewart will have visions of playing a fair slice of those.

He looked hampered by nerves on debut but gets another opportunity to stake a claim.

With the test series around the corner New Zealand need to produce a quality performance today.

Short of being labelled a one-trick-pony, their prospects would soar if they were able to use their preferred method of chasing rather than setting.

With Shane Bond and Daniel Vettori in fine form with the ball they may be able to restrict the tourists to a reasonable total, then have a crack at chasing it down for a morale boosting win.

Australia has few problems. Left-armer Doug Bollinger has just three wickets in the series at an economy rate of six runs an over, but other than that Ricky Ponting must be smiling.

Offspinner Nathan Hauritz said Australia were determined to keep their foot on the throat.

"We've copped some stick since we've been out here so the boys will be pretty keen to wrap it up 4-1."

HOW THEY LINE UP

Teams for today's fifth Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day cricket international between New Zealand and Australia at Westpac Stadium in Wellington, starting at 2pm:

New Zealand (from): Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Shanan Stewart, Scott Styris, Gareth Hopkins, James Franklin, Nathan McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, Michael Mason, Neil Broom (three to be omitted)

Australia (from): Ricky Ponting (captain), Shane Watson, Brad Haddin, Cameron White, Michael Hussey, James Hopes, Mitchell Johnson, Nathan Hauritz, Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger, Clint McKay, Adam Voges, George Bailey (two to be omitted)

TV: Sky Sport 1

TAB odds: Australia $1.33, NZ $3.10

Weather: Fine. 20C.

- © Fairfax NZ News