Adam Parore: Opportunity lost at Eden Park

It would be nice to see the top Black Caps side turning out, firing on all cylinders. Instead, we've been watching something rather unsatisfying as Australia stormed to a winning 3-1 lead in the one-day series.

Defeat at Eden Park was an opportunity lost. Without Jesse Ryder, whose track record means he can't be risked unless fit, our top order lacks "oomph" and relies on Brendan McCullum firing - which isn't going to happen all the time.

Batting is the key issue. Peter Ingram disappointed earlier in the series, and who knows what his future might be. His problems did emphasise the difference between first class and international cricket though.

Ingram had three guys bowling 150km/h at him, whereas he's probably never faced anyone that quick before.

A mystery to me is James Franklin's role. He is almost a good batter and almost a good bowler. I'm not a fan of left-armers in one-day cricket - they can be hit too easily on both sides of the wicket. Unless a leftie can swing the ball, like Wasim Akram did, they do it tough.

Inexperience has cost us again, and we are always left with the feeling of what might have been.

Injuries haven't helped and they cost us more dearly than they ever do for Australia - but they are a fact of life in the modern game.

On the plus side, Scott Styris can have a growing influence on this team, and his return has added a good dose of experience.

A quick note on the revamped Eden Park. The work is flying along, but the result isn't what I would call breathtaking.

It looks like just another stadium, and certainly doesn't rival anything like the Millennium Stadium in Wales. Eden Park remains a collection of different, assorted stands.

Finally, the Aussies have been hit by the strange departure of Michael Clarke, for personal reasons, and that will help the Black Caps if he is still absent for the test series.

The whole Clarke business is a mystery wrapped up in a riddle and it seems he was given time off to go home to break up with his girlfriend.

Cricket sure has changed.