Mark Richardson: Play ugly and just so dumb

How lost do the Black Caps look in ODIs right now? Well lost, and miles from finding their way.

They don't just need a win; they don't just need two wins; they need a string of wins.

They have to find a formula they can play by, feel comfortable with and, most importantly, have confidence in.

They seem to be searching for something to turn their poor ODI form around - but time is running out quickly.

ODI play is all about confidence and finding a team formula that works.

It is about getting players in the right positions, settling on a game plan, rehearsing it with success, growing to believe in it - and ultimately winning more often than not.

Right now, they seem to have no idea. Watching them bat last evening was painful. Ugly and dumb dismissals, really dumb dismissals, to go with a total lack of batting initiative.

How did it get to this state when many of the players have in the past been quite impressive? How could confidence and batting know-how evaporate so quickly?

But most importantly what to do about it? Could it be time for drastic action and personnel change across the board? It's probably too late for that.

The last thing this team need is to hit the World Cup still lost, have key men out of form and tinkering with their combinations during the event.

It doesn't help to have key players like Jesse Ryder, Brendon McCullum and Daniel Vettori under injury clouds.

It also doesn't help when you have too many playing for their spots rather than playing in their spots.

In 2007, I felt our team had a genuine chance of winning the World Cup because it felt like a team. Yes, there was an inglorious defeat in the semifinal but up until then we had the players, the belief and the formula to succeed.

There was a definite preference - to chase runs - and the batting order was stable. Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Jacob Oram and Brendon McCullum all knew what was needed and had the confidence to deliver - and most fans had confidence too.

This current team has plenty of personnel from the last Cup and players with just as much ability - but it lacks the same direction. There is no genuine spearhead like Shane Bond, which is a concern, and who are bowlers three, four and five.

Are Ryder and Styris good enough to provide 15-plus overs and if they do will they get injured? Is Williamson good enough to bat three? Should Taylor be at three? Who should bat seven? Too many questions are yet to be answered.

But one thing is for sure - they have to be answered quickly otherwise our team will hit the World Cup still chasing their tail.