Cricket: Aggro good for series, says Greatbatch

NZ coach Mark Greatbatch is enjoying the tension between his side and Australia. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand cricket coach Mark Greatbatch reckons the current transtasman tension is nothing compared to his playing days.

"The last time I played (against Australia), Merv Hughes spat on me," Greatbatch recalled with a chuckle yesterday.

Coincidentally, Hughes lumbered into the hotel lobby in his role as an Australian selector just as Greatbatch was reminiscing after the sides arrived in Hamilton to prepare for tomorrow's third Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day international.

"But we had a beer at the end of the day," Greatbatch added.

It was a welcome light-hearted moment for the New Zealand coach and selector who faces the task of assembling a fully-fit side amid a growing injury crisis.

Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart, fresh from an unbeaten 227 against Central Districts, was yesterday added to a New Zealand squad, which had swelled to 15 with key batsman Ross Taylor and James Franklin battling hamstring strains.

Stewart, 27, looks poised to make his one-day debut in the middle order at Seddon Park tomorrow because Greatbatch said Taylor and Franklin were "most likely" to be ruled out of the third game with the five-match series level 1-1.

Captain Daniel Vettori, who defied a stiff neck to win the man of the match award in the second game at Auckland on Saturday for his double of two for 43 and 70 off 49 balls, pronounced himself likely to back up, while gloveman Brendon McCullum's sore back would also be assessed.

He could not keep wicket in Australia's 12-run win in Auckland, but if he can take the gloves it might enable the hosts to bolster their bowling stocks with either Nathan McCullum or Michael Mason.

There were no repeats of the Scott Styris-Mitchell Johnson stoush in Auckland but the tension between the sides will continue with the series poised on a knife-edge.

"It's competitive, it's great. It's Australia-New Zealand," Greatbatch said.

"It was pretty controlled (in Auckland). It was good aggression and it was good cricket. People enjoyed it. We've just to stay focused, we know if we can play well we're a chance."

Greatbatch was overjoyed with the Shane Bond-led bowling efforts in Napier and Auckland, but the batting is a big must-improve area.

Without Napier man-of the-match Taylor, New Zealand slumped to 89 for five at Eden Park chasing a revised 266 off 45 overs, before Styris, with 46 off 58 balls, and Vettori got them close.

In-form opener Brendon McCullum will again carry much of the side's batting hopes, after cracking 24 off 16 balls before being removed by a brilliant diving Brad Haddin catch off Mitchell Johnson, who ended with four for 51.

"The top four or five batters in international cricket, that's their job. So I don't think there's any more pressure," Greatbatch said.

"Brendon got away to a good start and probably took the wrong option and it was a great catch by (Brad) Haddin. We've just got to restart tomorrow."

Australia, meanwhile, were injury-free and confident of going back-to-back.

"Everyone's starting to hit the ball pretty well. A lot of us are getting 40s and 50s and some pretty good starts, and getting competitive totals like yesterday (273-7)," wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said.

"But it's pretty important we start putting some big scores together and start batting New Zealand out of the game."

- NZPA