John Wright. Photo / Getty Images
Expect the same batting lineup which twice fell apart in the opening test at Brisbane to get a chance for redemption in Hobart this week.
New Zealand coach John Wright all but confirmed that the group who tumbled to 96 for five, then 28 for five at the Gabba against Australia en route to a nine-wicket flogging won't change. The only batting option in the squad is Northern Districts' BJ Watling.
Wright is adamant the best seven batsmen in the country are across the Tasman right now, but the clock is ticking.
Wright is effectively sole selector as well as coach, so the heat will come on him as much as the players if things don't improve and quickly.
"But we all come under scrutiny. We are all accountable," Wright said yesterday.
"We make no excuses for the last performance. We must accept the criticism because some of the shots you saw didn't reflect our intention of trying to bat four sessions."
Wright outlined what he wants in his test batsmen.
"Substance in our batters, the ability to bat for long periods of time and sell your wicket dearly. All these players are talented, they can play shots but need to value spending time at the wicket."
The team had a players' only meeting after the test. Wright had a series of one-on-one chats with the players during the nets' session yesterday, as well as a huddle where no one seemed in the mood for a joke.
"Accountability, personal self- responsibility, the things we need to work on in preparation for the next game; pretty basic things we need to improve," was the gist of the conversations, Wright said.
"Home truths," was how middle-order batsman Dean Brownlie put it.
New Zealand's batsmen have difficulty with leaving the ball outside the off stump. It may sound negative but it is an effective tool, making the bowlers come to the batsmen, rather than making life too easy for them.
The one exception among the top six was Perth-born Brownlie, who made 77 not out and 42. He admitted his upbringing on bouncier pitches on the western side of Australia helped.
"Definitely. Obviously, growing up on hard, fast wickets you've got to be strong on the back foot. A lot of my game centres around that. So I just try to stick with what I know."
Australia made one change for the second test. Injured 12th man Ben Cutting is replaced by South Australian allrounder Dan Christian.
There is a recent trend towards the unloved two-test series. But it enabled Australian writer Robert Craddock to give New Zealand a slap in the Brisbane Courier Mail yesterday.
"Here's a tip. You won't read a word of dissension about it this week. Can you imagine having to watch this Kiwi team for three tests?" he wrote.
By David Leggat
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