KEY POINTS:
Warren Lees is leading the call for change in the New Zealand one-day team, saying fresh ideas are desperately needed if the World Cup dream is to prosper.
The coaching brains behind New Zealand's strong 1992 campaign, Lees wants batsman Ross Taylor brought back to the team.
He suggests lesser, back-up roles for Hamish Marshall, Lou Vincent and Peter Fulton.
The former test wicket-keeper and coach also advocates shifting veteran batsman Nathan Astle's place in the order - although not necessarily to the opening position, where he has scored 6047 of his 6961 runs and 16 of his 18 ODI centuries.
Instead, Lees believes the time is right for Astle to drop further down the order - ideally to No 5 - to best harness his experience and give him a better chance against the older ball.
His comments came days after New Zealand's top order capitulated against Australia in the Champions Trophy semifinal at Mohali.
The top six batsmen fell inside the first 15 overs.
Lees said Marshall looked unnerved by his run drought, Vincent batted as if he were in two, possibly three, minds and Fulton was not ready for one-day international cricket.
Of the three, Marshall had to be the first to go.
"I look at his eyes, at his body language, and I think he almost wants to go too," Lees said yesterday.
"It's as if he's telling the bowler, 'for God's sake, do it quickly, don't let it be drawn out'.
"I know he scored a lot of runs in England, but all that confirms to me is that English county cricket is crap. Most of our players could go to England and do well on the county circuit, as Craig Spearman has already shown.
"But there's an enormous gap between that and international level."
Lees said Vincent and Fulton appeared to be struggling on a technical and mental level, especially when facing top-class attacks.
He believed a New Zealand top-order that included Marshall, Fulton and Vincent - as it did in this week's semifinal - had almost no chance of succeeding against quality bowlers.
"They've got about 20 games before the World Cup, and sorting out the top-order batting has to be the priority."
Lees believed Astle still had something to offer the New Zealand team, but could benefit from a move down the order, away from the new ball.
The veteran right-hander has opened in 185 of his 216 ODI appearances, but Lees said dropping down the order was a natural development for someone of his age and ability.
"At this stage of his career, with his footwork a little slower, he should be batting at No 5," said Lees.
"In your latter years your footwork tends to be exposed first, so it makes sense to be sending him in later."
Lees said he was mystified as to why Taylor wasn't brought into the squad for the injured Scott Styris before Wednesday's semifinal, and played instead of Marshall.
But he felt strongly that the selectors should start using Taylor immediately, to ensure the young right-hander had at least some experience under his belt before the World Cup.
It was important to give rookies as much experience as possible against the Australians, so they learned to keep their composure in the heat of battle and think on their feet.
"I still think we're a bit in awe of the Australians," he said. "We look okay at the start and when things are going well.
"But I was left with the feeling the other night that as soon as the Aussies begin fighting back, we start to retreat and almost become spectators.
"We've got to look at that. We've always got to be up for the fight."
Hamish Marshall
Last 20 innings
* Runs: 280
* Average: 15.55
* Bowled or lbw: 9
* Caught (fielder): 6
* Caught (keeper): 2
* Run Outs: 2
* Not Outs: 1
