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MELBOURNE - Australia's decision to rest captain Ricky Ponting has only added to New Zealand's soaring self-confidence as they chase a 2-0 Chappell-Hadlee Trophy cricket series lead this week.
Having tried to play down the Brad Haddin controversy yesterday, the tourists arrived in Melbourne for game two on Friday eager to hit the nets and try to build on their two-wicket victory off the last ball in Perth.
The result, secured amid high drama when captain Daniel Vettori hit the winning run off Nathan Bracken's bowling, ended a seven-match losing streak in completed contests against the world champions in Australia. Their previous win was the first Chappell-Hadlee Trophy match at Melbourne's Telstra Dome four years ago.
Coach Andy Moles was proud of his young charges - including five playing their first ODIs in Australia - who produced an outstanding bowling and fielding effort to skittle the hosts for 181.
"A lot of these young players dream of coming to Australia and winning a one-day game. To win the first one, it sets up the series," Moles said.
"We came here with a belief and a plan that we could play well against Australia and our younger players will take a lot of strength from it.
"We're moving forward with a lot of confidence and we believe we can put another performance on top of that one yesterday."
That belief was only helped by yesterday's announcement that Ponting would rest for the next two matches in Melbourne and Sydney, a decision made by the national selectors amid a hectic playing schedule.
With opener Shaun Marsh (hamstring) also ruled out, uncapped South Australian Callum Ferguson and West Australian Adam Voges were called into the squad.
"Any Australian side who doesn't have Ponting in it is going to be a weaker side. He's got over 300 ODIs and he's a huge talisman for them," Moles said.
Ponting's resting gave an indication of where the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy sits in Australian plans, and was curious timing with the side in a mini-slump after four consecutive losses.
The skipper's temporary absence might also calm the Haddin controversy.
After Ponting took umbrage at Vettori's comments that Haddin appeared to know he'd knocked off the bails when Neil Broom was bowled in Perth, Haddin weighed in yesterday.
He said it was "low" that Vettori was questioning his integrity, and insisted the ball had hit the bails before his gloves despite television replays suggesting otherwise.
Moles wasn't about to join the chorus.
"We've said all we have to say about it, it's been well played on the TV and everybody can draw their own conclusions. I don't think the words Dan used were over the top. He just called it as he saw it."
Moles also confirmed opener Jesse Ryder would miss the rest of the series and return home to prepare for India's arrival after his shoulder injury failed to respond to a cortisone injection.
New Zealand's focus now shifts back to their batting after their jittery pursuit of a paltry 182 in Perth.
In Ryder's absence, New Zealand slumped to 25 for three before being saved by the in-form Ross Taylor whose 64 got them within striking distance.
Moles said batting was the clear "must improve" aspect in the MCG nets this week.
"It's about getting these young guys to have belief in their performance and the belief they can win these games.
"We're still not anywhere near the quality we want, day in, day out, over the whole game."
- NZPA
