Adam Parore: We've got a mountain to climb to restore battered pride

Daniel Vettori. Photo / Brett Phibbs

A culture of poor top-order batting led to the Black Caps' disastrous 4-0 one day series loss to Bangladesh.

For all of the praise we must send the way of Bangladesh, there is one word which best sums up this result. Embarrassing.

I had been in the Himalayas, preparing for my attempt to climb Mt Everest in May, and on returning to New Zealand discovered we were 3-0 down in the series.

I was absolutely dumbfounded.

New Zealand's cricket reputation has been seriously dented and the game is heading for major problems in this country if the Black Caps' fortunes cannot be quickly turned around.

Cricket will lose its audience and suffer commercially. Bangladesh have clearly improved but this does not explain such an incredible turnaround in fortunes for the two sides.

Much more of this and the public will say enough is enough.

New Zealand has relied on one-day performances for about 20 years to keep the game in good health, and we have often been ranked among the best teams in the world in the short form of the game.

For me and all the players who have gone before, who are desperate to see the Black Caps do well, this result is downright embarrassing.

The bowlers did a reasonable job in Bangladesh and the defeat came down to the same old problem - the top batters.

This has been going on for far too long.

I can tell you that the all-rounders and bowlers have long been sick and tired of having to carry the team over the years.

I had some of my old teammates around recently - none of them batsmen - and that was the mood.

Okay, the wickets were slow and poor in this series and the lead up games were washed out.

But our leading batters failed to learn and adapt during the series. They also need to support their mates more.

I certainly don't believe this disaster has anything to do with the coaching and captaincy.

Daniel Vettori has suggested he would step down as captain if this was necessary but that is not the answer.

Vettori is still the best man to lead this side by a country mile.

There is just no one in the whole of New Zealand cricket who could do the job better.