KEY POINTS:
PERTH - Australian cricket coach John Buchanan has thrown another big wind-up New Zealand's way, saying a lack of quality tri-series opposition is hampering the hosts' World Cup buildup.
In what should provide a handy motivational speech for Sunday's trans-Tasman match here at the WACA ground, Buchanan complains substandard batting from New Zealand and England is not giving his bowlers the stern test they require.
His comments appeared in The Australian newspaper today under the headline "Appalling standard short-changing Australia: Buchanan".
"Our ability to deliver yorkers, length balls, bouncers, variety balls (such as slower balls, cutters, etc) has not been placed under constant scrutiny by an opposition batting lineup," Buchanan wrote on Cricket Australia's website.
"This testing of our bowlers' response to situations when we have lost control (temporarily, hopefully) is not happening.
"In essence, the batting efforts of our opposition are not assisting the development of our bowlers' one-day skills, and the decision-making that accompanies being placed under the microscope of competition.
"And while this is not occurring, we cannot have our fielding tested also for its ability to create and make opportunities."
Buchanan has a history of off-field mind games. On the 2000 tour of New Zealand his detailed critique of individual Black Caps players was leaked to local media.
But his latest comments are hardly outlandish, particularly after New Zealand's struggles with the bat.
Against Australia, New Zealand were dismissed for 184 chasing 290 to win in Hobart, then scored just 218 batting first in Sydney. Their breakthrough 90-run win against England on Tuesday came after they were 67 for five batting first.
New Zealand's players were given today off training and media commitments in Perth today and it was left to New Zealand Cricket (NZC) chief executive Martin Snedden to play a dead bat to Buchanan's comments.
"I've read the article and it's not my position to get stuck into that sort of stuff," Snedden said.
"He's entitled to his views and we're entitled to focus on what we're trying to achieve without getting too distracted.
"I'd imagine the players read it with a bit of interest, and it may even provide a little bit of motivation for them.
"I don't think that's necessarily what they need for motivation and I don't think you're going to see any sort of major reaction from our camp."
England allrounder Paul Collingwood, speaking ahead of tomorrow's match against Australia in Adelaide, didn't offer a bite either.
"We're probably not (challenging Australia's bowlers) at the moment but hopefully we can turn that around and stretch them if that's what he wants to see.
"'We obviously concentrate on our own game, I'm not going to get into a slanging match on that."
Snedden, meanwhile, pronounced himself happy with what he'd seen after cancelling his trip to an International Cricket Council (ICC) meeting in Dubai to join the team.
He will remain on tour until Sunday's match, describing his visit as a show of support for coach John Bracewell and his team after the pressure of three consecutive losses.
"I like what I'm seeing and I think the team's got really good harmony," Snedden said.
"They're realistic about where they're at, and not getting carried away with a victory over England.
"They see it as a step forward but know they've still got some major issues to deal with, and are working hard to get it right."
Snedden was quick to scotch reports of player dissatisfaction with Bracewell.
"I've spoken to each of the senior players and picked their brains about what's happening.
"All of them have indicated to me without hesitation that they support what's happening, that they're right in behind Bracewell and (captain Stephen) Fleming.
"All of them simply say 'we've got to score more runs'."
- NZPA
