Cricket: Astle, Vettori give themselves injury pass marks

New Zealand got their cricketing version of mission impossible off on a positive note today as key men Nathan Astle and Daniel Vettori declared themselves fighting fit for the first test starting on Thursday against Australia in Christchurch.

The pair have spent recent days under injury clouds, Astle with a right shoulder problem and Vettori with continued back soreness, but both put a confident spin on their fitness today as morning rain forced training indoors.

"It's good, it was just a bit of a niggle in the AC joint. It was more precautionary than anything else, with the series gone I just wanted to rest it and be right for Thursday," Astle said.

"Everything's fine - throwing, batting, I haven't had a bowl yet but I'm sure that'll be all right as well."

Astle sat out the gloomy finish to the one-day series whitewash in Napier on Saturday and holds several positives going into his 67th test.

Last time he set foot on Jade Stadium in a test three years ago he slayed the fastest test double-century -- a staggering 28 fours and 11 sixes in a magical 222 off 168 balls - still in a losing cause as England won by 98 runs.

And in his last five tests against Australia he has scored 448 runs at 56, including his 156 not out in Perth in 2001-02 as New Zealand went close to an upset series victory.

"You do get some memories flooding back, it's hard not to, but it's a new game.

"Those memories help you relax a bit more and not have so much anxiety when you walk out.

"It's always nice to play at your home ground but that innings was a once in a lifetime one which I'll struggle to repeat," said Astle who expected the usual batsman's paradise pitch at Jade Stadium.

Astle, who averaged 33 in the one-day series, was having nothing of talk of a mentally disintegrating side after the towellings received from a super confident Australian lineup in the past fortnight.

The team "signed off" on the one-day series last night, and if anyone was in any doubt, coach John Bracewell ordered full whites to be worn in the nets at the High Performance Centre at Lincoln today.

The batsmen including newcomer Craig Cumming and recalled Lou Vincent were given a torrid workout in the nets, mainly involving teammates hurling deliveries from 15m away.

"Dare I say it, that's the media talking," Astle said of Australia having a psychological hold.

"They're bowling well, that's international cricket and if you mentally can't get up for that and go out there and rate your ability... you've been picked for a reason then there's probably no point you being out on the park.

"There's no doubt about it, Brett (Lee) is bowling quick and you can't do anything about that, play each ball on its merits and get through it."

Vettori and the rest of the New Zealand attack didn't bowl in the indoor nets today but will top off their preparations tomorrow.

New Zealand's main wicket-taking hope with 188 victims from 59 tests, just 12 short of joining Sir Richard Hadlee and Chris Cairns in New Zealand's 200 club, Vettori was upbeat despite captain Stephen Fleming's concerns about his fitness after the Napier match.

"Tomorrow it'll be eight or nine overs, normal preparation I always have for a test match," he said.

"I'm pretty confident about what I can do. I talked to Stephen (Fleming) and John (Bracewell) about it and I won't be putting any restrictions on myself and they won't be putting any on me either.

"It'll just be a feel thing but I'm reasonably confident at the moment."

Vettori said there was always some degree of back soreness but he had learned to manage it. He hoped Fleming's use of him wouldn't change, saying he expected to "set up camp at one end" and apply pressure to the free-scoring Australians.

- NZPA