Batting order shuffle tipped

Peter Ingram wasn't mentioned by name, but the clear inference from coach Mark Greatbatch was that the Central Districts opener has had all the chances he's going to get at the top of New Zealand's batting order.

Two-one down in their one-day series against Australia, with two to play, Greatbatch said the Black Caps would be making changes to their line-up for today's match at Eden Park.

Ingram has not found favour with many pundits because of his negligible footwork, and having again been dismissed cheaply in Tuesday's six-wicket loss at Hamilton, it seems that's the case within the team hierarchy too.

"We're losing wickets early. We seem to have had a reasonable run-rate but [are] probably losing one or two too many in that first 10 or 15 overs, so you could see a change there," Greatbatch said yesterday.

"When the Aussies bowl good balls at us we need to defend those well and negate what they're trying to do, which is obviously take wickets. [Mitchell] Johnson has been a thorn in our side and he's taken wickets each time he's come on.

"Our best players have got to get into the position in the order to try and win this game of cricket, for example the batting side, which is my part [of the coaching] you've got [Brendon] McCullum, you've got [Ross] Taylor, you've got [Martin] Guptill, I think [Daniel] Vettori comes into that.

"I think we might have missed a beat with Dan [batting at eight in Hamilton]. He's a bit reluctant sometimes to go up and I think we need to get our best players in certain areas of that order to create that momentum we're looking for.

"As I said, there's lots of options and when that side comes out you'll see some changes." That might mean Guptill returning to open the innings with McCullum and the rest of the batsmen shuffling up one. Taylor would be three, followed by Neil Broom and Scott Styris (though not necessarily in that order), then Vettori and Gareth Hopkins.

Greatbatch felt New Zealand were a bowler short in Hamilton, which means James Franklin will play if fit. He bowled freely during the break in innings' on Tuesday, while Daryl Tuffey is expected back for Michael Mason.

Franklin has been tried at five in the batting order, but doesn't deserve to bat any higher than eight today.

The only thing that could save Ingram would be a reluctance to expose McCullum, Guptill and Taylor so early. New Zealand have tended to stack their batting line-ups to try to protect themselves from the loss of early wickets.

There's a sense that New Zealand can't post a 300-plus total without McCullum getting lots of them and if he, Guptill and Taylor all went to the new ball, 200 might be a good score.

Greatbatch talked of his team going for broke today and the batting order will indicate how brave they really are.

TEAMS

New Zealand: (likely) Brendon McCullum, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Neil Broom, Daniel Vettori, Gareth Hopkins, James Franklin, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, Tim Southee.

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

- © Fairfax NZ News