Rain saves NZ from a thrashing

Struggling New Zealand cricket captain Stephen Fleming is happy to continue opening but says he will drop down the batting order if it means a reversal in his and the team's horror run against Australia.
New Zealand got out of jail with a draw in the second test yesterday after the Wellington weather allowed only 17.2 overs on the final day for the home side to stagger to 48 for three in their follow on, still 278 adrift of Australia's total.
That was enough time for Fleming to perish leg before wicket to Glenn McGrath for a third consecutive time, leaving him with 36 series runs at 9.00 in the unfamiliar opening role.
Fleming is clearly struggling with his balance against the new ball and McGrath's arrow-like accuracy into his pads, so a new opener could be an option to allow the captain to slot in at four, with Lou Vincent and Nathan Astle possibly moving down a place.
A surprisingly upbeat Fleming said he would do what was best for the team, then jokingly added it could mean batting right handed.
"I'm certainly not going to put the white flag up," he said. "I've always said that I'll bat wherever the team needs me to bat. If it is opening then you've got to grab it.
"I'm not going to shy away from Glenn McGrath or the opportunity to beat him in the middle.
"That's my job (opening), I said that pretty much for the first two tests then we'll look at it. That's the way I'll prepare until the team is announced.
"The team's always been the priority and the way it's gone up and down has reflected my form. There is going to be a point where maybe enough's enough and the team will benefit more from me dropping down."
Yesterday, in the Basin Reserve gloom, McGrath set Fleming up with three short balls then a full, straight one which would have knocked middle stump over. He at least avoided the dreaded pair by scoring one in his seven-ball stay.
It was panic stations in the New Zealand dressing room when Hamish Marshall followed to a dubious David Shepherd call two balls later to make it three for two.
Lou Vincent backed up from his gutsy first innings 63 with a breezy 24 but when a jubilant Michael Kasprowicz breached his defence for his 100th test wicket, the end looked nigh.
But the scotch mist rolled in again, forcing the players off at 1.25pm before the day was abandoned at 3.30pm. The rain-marred test lasted only 238 overs out of a scheduled 450.
"There's still a chance to draw the series and that's what you cling on to," Fleming said.
"We won't fudge the point that we were once again outplayed and staring down the barrel, but sometimes you need opportunities like this to move forward." ? NZPA