NZ v Australia
3rd ODI, Seddon Park
Hamilton 2pm today
New Zealand will leave a decision on whether key batsman Ross Taylor is fit for today's third ODI against Australia as late as possible.
And with good reason. No Taylor means a significant hole in New Zealand's batting order in a game they need to win to regain the initiative in a compelling series.
Man of the match a week ago in Napier, Taylor is recovering from a strained hamstring and missed the 12-run loss to Australia, which squared the series at Eden Park on Saturday. Captain Dan Vettori yesterday rated Taylor's chances of playing as 50-50.
Both Taylor and allrounder James Franklin, similarly afflicted, did some work in the Seddon Park nets yesterday but you wouldn't put your shirt on them being in the XI.
Taylor's absence would put more onus on the other batsmen to deliver. That group looks like including uncapped Canterbury batsman Shanan Stewart in the middle order.
Fresh from 161 not out and 227 not out in back-to-back Plunket Shield games, the 27-year-old is in strong form.
"I'm feeling pretty good, obviously I've got some runs and I feel confident in myself," he said yesterday.
Things went wrong early at Eden Park. A win is rarely achieved from 89 for five, as New Zealand were before getting close courtesy of Vettori's bold 70 off 49 balls late in the day.
The bowlers have done a solid job in both ODIs so far, keeping Australia well below what were regarded as par scores of about 300.
Keep those good lines and thoughtful approach going - and it has been backed by splendidly committed fielding - and get more out of the batsmen and New Zealand are in business.
Vettori, who is improving after his strained neck of last week, has reiterated the importance of senior opener Brendon McCullum to the New Zealand batting.
"We're sitting on the sideline thinking he can do something pretty special any time he goes out," Vettori said.
"He'd be the first to say he doesn't want to be known for brilliant 20s and 30s. He wants to be the guy who scored hundreds, and when he does that we win games."
New Zealand also need more from Peter Ingram and Martin Guptill, who has managed only 27 off 64 balls in the two games so far.
Leaving it to the likes of resurgent returnee Scott Styris and regular rabbit extractor Vettori to get the side over the line late in the piece is no surefire strategy for success.
Australian coach Tim Nielsen adheres to the theory that New Zealand teams grow an extra leg when playing their neighbours.
"They're a quality side," Nielsen said yesterday.
"It was 2-all in Australia (last season), we both got to the final in the Champions Trophy (last October) and now it's 1-all here. It doesn't matter what the rankings say, whenever Australia play New Zealand she's flat out, full on."
The cricket was competitive at Eden Park, and didn't breach any good taste tests as it had in Napier, courtesy of the Mitchell Johnson-Styris macho face-off.
Nielsen yesterday talked of a balance between acceptable emotion and not leaping across that fluid line of what is not on.
"They're young men who have got plenty of ego and fire in the belly," he said.
"At some stages when they get a bit cranky because they feel the game is on the line you'll see some emotion, and we don't want to take that out of the game."
New Zealand have a good ODI record at Seddon Park, winning 10 and losing two of their 13 internationals.
Lose tonight and the prospects of regaining the Chappell Hadlee Trophy will sharply recede. The opposite applies, too.
Otago coach Mike Hesson has joined the New Zealand management team for the remainder of the ODI series and the first test against Australia.
New Zealand trainer Bryan Stronach is away for several days, opening space for an extra coach.
Former national bowling coach Vaughan Johnson will fill in as Otago coach.
NZ v AUSTRALIA
New Zealand: (from) Dan Vettori (c), Brendon McCullum, Peter Ingram, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Neil Broom, Scott Styris, Shanan Stewart, James Franklin, Gareth Hopkins, Nathan McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, Michael Mason.
Australia: (from) Ricky Ponting (c), Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Mike Hussey, Adam Voges, James Hopes, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger, Clint McKay.
