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New Zealand's historic one-day cricket triumph over Australia may have directed shock waves across the Tasman last night but victorious coach John Bracewell doubts any lasting damage has been inflicted.
While Australia's first loss by 10 wickets in 36 years of limited overs cricket has been added to a brief of evidence suggesting the World Cup holders are unravelling at precisely the wrong time, the occasionally abrasive Bracewell turned up to an optional training practice in Auckland today wearing his diplomatic hat.
Bracewell, who detrimentally livened up New Zealand's last test visit to Australia two years ago by openly baiting the Australians, was a picture of contrition on the eve of a potential Chappell-Hadlee Trophy-winning match at Eden Park tomorrow.
Far from gloating after yesterday's resounding result, Bracewell doubted any cracks would be evident among a weakened touring side further debilitated by the return home of injured duo Brett Lee and Michael Clarke.
Asked whether Australia dropping three consecutive one-day games for the first time in four years was a good omen for rival nations at next month's World Cup, Bracewell declined to join the optimists.
"You'd need a sledge hammer and a nuclear bomb to knock the Australia's confidence," he said.
"They have two (consecutive) World Cups and a Champions Trophy in the bag.
"It won't take much for them to get it back on track,' he said, adding: "I'm not quite sure they're that far off track anyway.
"Remember, a number of their players are training and resting behind the scenes."
The absence of Ricky Ponting (back), Adam Gilchrist (paternity leave) and Andrew Symonds (biceps) means the current squad have a second-string look to them although Lee's withdrawal with serious ankle ligament damage has been offset by fast bowler Shaun Tait joining the tour party today.
Tait, consistently clocked in excess of 150km/h, should be pressed into action immediately considering the ease at which New Zealand reached their target of 149 in Wellington.
Bracewell identified the casualty-free runchase completed by Lou Vincent and Stephen Fleming as the highlight of New Zealand's most emphatic win over their neighbours since a 206-run rout at Adelaide in 1985-86.
"One of the things we want to achieve over a long period of time is a thing called 'completing the task'.
"Lou and Stephen managed it -- that was the major thing that everyone enjoyed the most."
The euphoria of victory was tempered by a desperate need to carry on and build a winning momentum.
"We're pretty pleased to get a win on the board but they're few and far between and we need to become more consistent," Bracewell said.
"We've done a third of what we're trying to achieve in this series."
New Zealand have won just three of their last 23 games against Australia since 2002 so Bracewell may have only been slightly exaggerating when detailing the moment he felt victory was secure at Westpac Stadium.
"You don't have a sense it is under control against Australia but when Louie hit that last six I thought we had it nailed."
Although Australia have practically the same personnel on deck tomorrow, Bracewell said the pressure would be as intense on his players.
"Every time you play Australia you're under enormous pressure. They are the best in the world, they've earned that right over a long, long time. Every time you play it's like a World Cup final."
Meanwhile, batsman Peter Fulton has joined the New Zealand squad to replace allrounder Jacob Oram, who will have his fractured left ring finger assessed by a specialist in Hamilton on Monday.
Oram will remain with the squad and management are confident the injury would not jeopardise his World Cup campaign.
Speedster Shane Bond, who decimated the Australian innings with figures of five for 23, is likely to back-up tomorrow despite his workload being carefully managed.
Bracewell indicated New Zealand would enlist another seam-dominated attack after inspecting a pitch that appeared "grassy and pacy".
Another factor erring Bracewell on the side of caution ahead of tomorrow could be the outcome the last time New Zealand played at Eden Park.
Last month Sri Lanka ripped out the Blacks Caps for an ignominious 73 -- their second lowest score in one-dayers -- although Bracewell doubted that thrashing was relevant.
"It's a day game, the pitch behaves differently. Under lights the ball swings a lot more."
New Zealand will not name their 11 until shortly before the toss but team management tonight confirmed offspinner Jeetan Patel was omitted from their 13-strong squad.
Allrounder James Franklin is in the frame for selection after being omitted for the match in Wellington.
Also, it was confirmed that Tait would definitely play for Australia.
- NZPA
