KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - Captain Daniel Vettori sees a two-spin option and a batting elevation for Kyle Mills as New Zealand's best chance of upsetting Australia after their Canberra cricketing jitters.
Depending on the pitch at Perth's WACA ground for Sunday night's Chappell-Hadlee Trophy opener, Vettori wants to bowl alongside offspinner Jeetan Patel and promote the big-hitting Mills to the key allrounder's spot at No 7.
While it thins the batting, Vettori said it was the best solution to the balance headache in the crucial absence of allrounder Jacob Oram, as they look to play five frontline bowlers.
Bowling was the main focus as the tourists flew to Perth today, with Vettori and coach Andy Moles both fuming that they couldn't defend 271 for five against Justin Langer's Prime Minister's 11 in Canberra. They lost by six wickets with 13 balls to spare.
Vettori said young paceman Tim Southee would return after being rested yesterday, while Patel deserved his chance after taking two for 51 off 10 including a gem to remove test hopeful Phillip Hughes.
"I was really pleased with how Jeetan bowled - obviously his last over went for a little bit - but he bowled well and he comes into play," Vettori said.
"Even Perth, by all accounts it turns a little bit and sits in the wicket so we'll look at that.
"Kyle Mills at seven hopefully works for and offers us a bit more balance with a full-strength bowling lineup."
Senior paceman Mills conceded 36 off eight wicketless overs in Canberra but he was the most economical quick, with Iain O'Brien taking an expensive one for 48 off eight as he eyes just his second one-day international, and allrounder Grant Elliott conceding 32 off five.
Coach Moles was unimpressed by a "sub-par performance" by the bowlers and fielders, which included at least three dropped catches.
"It's a bit of a wakeup call more than anything else. We know we're in for a tough tour, and we've spoken about it. It's disappointing we didn't show a little bit more fight in the field, collectively, and it's disappointing that they need a wakeup call," Moles said.
"We're looking forward to getting to Perth and showing some spirit."
Moles offered some excuse for the lethargic first-up effort due to the heat, with temperatures climbing to 37degC at a sweltering Manuka Oval.
The tourists went through a torrid three-hour session on Wednesday to acclimatise, but Moles warned it would get no easier with 35degC forecast for Perth on Sunday.
Vice-captain Brendon McCullum was Moles' other concern despite his fighting 114 off 130 balls in Canberra.
He would undergo intensive treatment on his hip flexor strain to try to pass him fit to keep wicket, otherwise backup Gareth Hopkins would come in to the top-six and either Neil Broom or Elliott would be in danger.
Vettori was also irked not to get a win in Canberra, both for the side's confidence and momentum. They lost their opening tour match against New South Wales last November before a heavy 0-2 test series defeat.
"Winning is such an important thing when you come to Australia. If you get off to a good start then you can ride it the whole time," Vettori said.
"We wanted to win to go to Perth with a little bit of confidence, we didn't get that so we're going to have to manufacture that with our planning and our preparation."
The final analysis on their opponents would start as soon as they landed in Perth, with the hotel televisions tuned to Australia's fifth and final one day international against South Africa at the WACA.
- NZPA
