Cricket: Pressure on NZ bowlers

Hamish Bennett. Photo / Getty Images

The onus will be squarely on New Zealand's only two pace bowlers - Tim Southee and Hamish Bennett - to curb Pakistan's big hitters in the fourth one-day cricket international at McLean Park today.

New Zealand confirmed their 11 for the match yesterday, Jacob Oram named 12th man leaving Southee and Bennett as the only pace bowlers in the lineup.

Spinners Daniel Vettori and Nathan McCullum, and medium pacer Scott Styris, are the supporting acts but when the pressure goes on at the death, the quicks will have to step up.

They will also have to improve markedly from last Saturday's 43-run loss to the tourists. Shahid Afridi, with 65 off 25 balls, and Umar Akmal, with 44 off 29, helped Pakistan plunder 125 runs from the final 10 overs as New Zealand failed to hit their lines and lengths.

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori said discipline was key against Afridi and co, and the bowlers were also relishing the slightly longer straight boundaries at McLean Park, although the square boundaries are little more than a full sand wedge.

"I think (Afridi) preys on any momentum in his favour so you've got to stop that any way you can," Vettori said.

"Being disciplined with the ball is the only way you can do it. We gave him a number of opportunities to clear the ropes and we missed a chance catch him, and you just can't afford to do that. The onus goes on the bowlers to hit their lines and lengths and if you do that you've got a better chance.

"You can accept it if they get hit from those areas but if you're bowling half volleys and length balls in the power plays you're going to be in trouble."

New Zealand's rotation policy continues with three changes to the 11 that lost in Christchurch.

In come Vettori, Nathan McCullum and opening batsman Jesse Ryder, while left-arm spinner Luke Woodcock, Kyle Mills and Oram drop out.

Oram -- a probable member of the first 11 -- has been handed drinks duties.

With the series level at 1-1, today's match is crucial and New Zealand need to find a way to halt Pakistan's momentum.

Batting generally decides matches here on what is invariably a belter, with scores over 300 not considered safe.

To post that sort of total, New Zealand will need one or two batsmen to score heavily, something they did not achieve in Christchurch, and counter the reverse swinging ball if it comes into play.

To deny Pakistan a 300-plus score, their death bowling will have to improve markedly, especially with Afridi on a roll.

Vettori confirmed Ryder and Martin Guptill would open, with Brendon McCullum again down the order.

Pakistan are expected to go with the same 11.

- NZPA