Black Caps set to switch struggling lineup

BY JONATHAN MILLMOW

Enough of experimenting, it is all hands to the pump today as New Zealand throw their best team at Australia in a do or die one-day match at Eden Park.

Out goes Peter Ingram and up the order come the big names as New Zealand try to spark their batting unit into top gear and tie up the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy at 2-2.

Don't be surprised to see Martin Guptill partnering Brendon McCullum at the top, followed by Ross Taylor at first drop and Scott Styris up to No4.

Selector and batting coach Mark Greatbatch even suggested Daniel Vettori would bat in the top six in a clear sign that players such as Ingram, Neil Broom and James Franklin have had an opportunity to impress and not taken it.

"I think you are going to see some changes," Greatbatch said. "Our best players have got to get in a position in the order to try and win this game of cricket.

"You've got McCullum, Taylor, Guptill, and Vettori comes into that. We might have missed a beat with Dan and he's a bit reluctant to go up sometimes.

"We need to get our best players in certain areas to create that momentum we're looking for. There's lots of options and you'll see some changes."

The selectors deserve a pat on the back for cutting their losses as a result of the soft performance in Hamilton on Wednesday night..

Scores of 106-3, 43-3, 55-3 don't cut it against Australia, and New Zealand have done well to scramble their way back into two of those games.

McCullum is seeing the ball like a pumpkin but scores of 45, 24 and 23 are only entrees. Guptill has been a big disappointment with 9, 18, 21 but a return to opening might unlock his potential.

Ingram started well with 40 but then stumbled – 14 and 5 – and doesn't look the part yet.

"You've got to give players opportunities but you also have to balance it with your best players. The players coming back, if they're fit, will make us stronger," Greatbatch said.

Taylor (hamstring), Daryl Tuffey (calf), Franklin (hamstring) and Shane Bond (left hand) are all carrying niggles but Greatbatch believes they will all be passed fit.

The one uncertainty about today's lineup is who bats at No5. Broom or Franklin could get a reprieve.

The latter was too slow in Napier and incapacitated at Auckland, but in Greatbatch's ruthless mood you get the feeling Franklin might be down at No8 behind the resourceful Gareth Hopkins and in front of Bond, Tuffey and Tim Southee.

Both captains will clamber to chase a target rather than set one at Eden Park.

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting likes to dominate games with runs on the board first, but no total is safe on the small grounds so he now prefers to upset New Zealand's rhythm.

In many ways New Zealand's season hinges on the outcome of the game. What has happened previously has been underwhelming and few fancy their chances in the upcoming test series.

Greatbatch believes there is a quality performance within the one-day side.

"It's a good opportunity to go back at them. They're in front and we're going to Eden Park which is a famous ground for New Zealand sport.

"We win there a lot so it's an opportunity to have a crack at them."

Australia are expected to name an unchanged side and ominously Ponting and Brad Haddin hit top batting form in Hamilton.

However, Ponting does not buy into the theory that the tourists have all the momentum and the result is a foregone conclusion.

"This game changes really quickly. We can't afford to think it is just going to happen."

HOW THEY LINE UP

Teams for today's fourth Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park in Auckland, starting at 2pmNew Zealand (from): Daniel Vettori (captain), Brendon McCullum, Peter Ingram, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Scott Styris, Shanan Stewart, Gareth Hopkins, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, Nathan McCullum, Michael Mason, James Franklin (four 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). Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pakistan), Gary Baxter (New Zealand). TV: Sky Sport 1 TAB odds: Aust $1.33, NZ $3.10. Weather: Fine, 24C

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