Cricket: Bracewell acts to boost one-day fortunes

By MARK GEENTY

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming expects coach John Bracewell to provide an immediate boost to the team's one-day fortunes when it is needed most.

The Black Caps will see in the New Year under pressure, having lost their first test series at home in four years and trying to avert a seven-match one-day losing streak.

Their chance to get back on track comes at Eden Park on Saturday in the first of five one-dayers against a well-oiled Pakistan machine in a dangerously confident mood.

New Zealand won just 12 of their 29 one-day internationals in 2003 - two of them against minnows Canada and Bangladesh - and slipped to a lowly eighth on the world rankings.

An inability to go for the kill when in control, a problem also seen during the second test loss, saw them let Australia out of jail twice in Port Elizabeth and Pune, and also cost them an upset win over Pakistan in Lahore a month ago.

There is little doubt Bracewell is the man, with five one-day trophies to his name with English country Gloucestershire.

But how quickly he can stamp his mark and, importantly, instil a ruthless streak is the big question.

"It is a new beginning, in a way, with John taking over," Fleming said. "His success has been in the one-day game and we're looking forward to him having an impact here."

Work ethic is Bracewell's buzzword and soon after New Zealand's seven-wicket loss on Tuesday he hauled them out into the Wellington southerly to work on their technique against yorker-length fast bowling.

They had another training session yesterday on arrival in Auckland as they look for a way to counter speedsters Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, who each ran through them in the two tests.

Averting their top-order batting jitters and improving their troublesome bowling at the death will be two important areas to focus on.

"There might just be subtle changes in our training styles for the skill levels to improve," Fleming said. "He [Bracewell] has got some good ideas, based on a high work ethic during a day."

First up will be a batting think-tank led by Fleming, who will open with Craig Cumming, seen as having sound technique against quick bowling, despite averaging just 11.6 in five Pakistan one-dayers this month.

Hamish Marshall, the success story of the Pakistan tour with an average of 81, moves up a place to No 3, followed by Scott Styris, Craig McMillan and Chris Cairns.

"It might not be a dynamic start but we've got to get through," Fleming said. "That's the key, keep wickets in hand."

"Craig and Hamish had a look at Akhtar overseas, which is invaluable; it doesn't take rocket science to know what's coming to you."

New Zealand welcome back Auckland duo Kyle Mills and the dynamic Andre Adams, who were not in Pakistan due to injury, and both will have a role to play at the death, as will Daryl Tuffey.

Pakistan caused havoc in the final 10 overs against a fresh New Zealand attack in the recent series, with Abdur Razzaq the big hitter the home team need to stop.

Pakistan, meanwhile, were granted a training-free day as a reward for their 1-0 series win.

Coach Javed Miandad said their test win would not necessarily be a great form guide for the one-dayers.

"One batter, one bowler, one decision can change the match," he said.

Pakistan take on Wellington in a warm-up match at the Basin Reserve today.

Manager Haroon Rashid said one-day specialist all-rounders Shoaib Malik and Azhar Mahmood were likely to play.

- NZPA