Buoyant Black Caps line up Australians

With heads still spinning following the dramatic test win over Pakistan in Hamilton, and still throbbing following the justifiable celebrations, the Black Caps were swiftly boarding a plane to Sydney yesterday, looking to carry their good spirits into the Chappellhadlee one-day series.

It’s a rapid transition back to the white-ball format, with the first of three matches at the SCG on Sunday, as New Zealand look to defend the silverware ahead of the return series in January/february.

Fresh off the dramatic finish at Seddon Park, the Black Caps will take confidence with them across the ditch.

Despite the change in format, captain Kane Williamson said any sort of momentum was handy.

‘‘One thing I do know is winning’s a lot better than losing, so I guess it’s nice coming away with a series win, having played very good cricket as a unit,’’ Williamson said.

‘‘In saying that, the change in format, also the change in side, means that it is a separate challenge.

‘‘It is important you bring yourself back to the challenges that are in front of you.’’

Eight of the Black Caps’ XI from Hamilton are in the 14-strong ODI squad, and while coach Mike Hesson felt some players from the test arena would carry confidence in, he noted his troops had performed well in the one-day scene for a while anyway.

‘‘We’re top three in the world and we have been for the last couple of years,’’ he said. ‘‘So we’re a reliable white-ball side. [It’s] quite an exciting group, but not as experienced as perhaps we have been since the World Cup. So that provides opportunity. A lot of these guys have never played in Australia.’’

With Ross Taylor having surgery on his eye yesterday, New Zealand will have a shuffled batting lineup, though Hesson did note Taylor wasn’t there for the previous Chappell-hadlee series either and that Henry Nicholls did a good job.

Hesson confirmed Trent Boult was tracking ‘‘very well’’ for Sunday, with the left-arm quick missing the Hamilton test due to a knee niggle which flared up, but then getting through a full fitness test on Tuesday.