KEY POINTS:
To have any chance in the Chappell-Hadlee series, the Black Caps must attack Australia's weakness - their bowling - and attacking it is best done by batting second.
Brett Lee and Shaun Tait looked awesome at Perth but that was a different game and a unique pitch. On Friday night, they looked good but hittable. Nathan Bracken is perhaps more of a threat with his swing and accuracy because, if you are not getting blasted out by the two quicks, at least you will be picking up runs which eases pressure. But Bracken builds pressure.
There was only one Shane Warne - thank God - and so all other wrist spinners [Hogg] cough up loosies and there's nothing special about James Hopes.
On the other hand, Australia's batting is awesome. They play freely and with confidence. The are confident because of the belief they have in those around them and it is unlikely enough of them will fail on the same day to restrict them - there is just too much class.
Therefore the best way to beat this Australian team is the way the Black Caps have looked their most likely - bowl first, get set a huge target and chase it.
Friday night once again showed this team's lack of certainty when setting a target. They were in a great position after 30 overs to make 300 plus but lost their way. Where was Brendon McCullum to finish things off? Oh, that's right - at the top of the innings, instigating matters.
Players now don't bat right through that often. Openers who get centuries do so in the 34th over. Batting deeper would mean they end up with 150-plus and that does not happen very often.
Therefore players from No 7, 8 and 9 are crucial to take 250 to 300. McCullum's not there any more and rightly so but that hole must be filled. Jacob Oram played well the other night but with a care that showed a lack of trust in those to come.
By batting second, all 10 of our batsmen (sorry, Chris Martin) will face fewer "what ifs" because it will be a case of do it or lose. Our players have surprised themselves in similar situations.
Australia are an ego-driven team. They demand respect, and fair enough, they deserve it but I hope our boys don't give it to them. If we are inward-looking, we will lose. They are better man for man and if both teams go about their own business, we will lose. It's easier said at the keyboard than at the crease, and I've failed miserably at this myself, but finding ways to put them off their game is the best way to challenge Australia.
Lee gets flustered, I've seem Tait bowl testosterone-fuelled rubbish before on more than one occasion and you won't make their batsmen back off but perhaps you can make them go too hard.
