Cricket: Southee fit and raring to go

Black Caps bowler Tim Southee. Photo / Alan Gibson.

Tim Southee is fit and raring to get stuck into South Africa tomorrow, after missing the opening ODI earlier this week.

Southee has had a shoulder niggle, but that has cleared up and the man who leads New Zealand's seam attack wants to make the most of the rest of this series, which concludes in Hamilton on Monday.

''Obviously it was disappointing," Southee said of the six-wicket loss at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval on Tuesday.

''You never like losing, especially after the cricket we showed last summer. But it's been a long time since we last played one-day cricket (last February).

''A lot of the guys haven't played a lot of cricket in the last few months so we will be better for the hitout.

''This is a chance for the other guys to step up and I think we will see an improved side tomorrow."

Big left armer Mitchell McClenaghan, who also sat out Tuesday's game, is expected to play tomorrow as the push to secure World Cup spots heats up.

Part of the reason for New Zealand's ODI success last season - including a 4-0 win over the powerful Indians - was the ability to take wickets at important moments.

Replicating that will be vital for New Zealand's World Cup ambitions. Competition among the fast-medium group is healthy, Southee said.

''It's good to have that competition because it gets the best out of everyone. We're a competitive group of guys and everyone is pushing each other to do well and it's nice to have that," he said.