Get set for feast of runs on flat track

NZ batsmen need to score big on Manuka Oval road as the clutch point arrives

New Zealand’s clutch point against Australia has arrived with indecent haste. In this three-game Chappell-Hadlee ODI contest both teams have had just one day to rest after Sunday’s opener before Australia look to take the trophy back in game two at Manuka Oval today.

The short gap leaves the feeling of a contest which has been squeezed in between more significant events.

Still, New Zealand know they should have been better in the 68-run loss at Sydney, particularly in the fielding and bowling departments.

Three catches were spilled in Sydney, two off man of the match Steve Smith. The bowlers lost their lines and a detailed analysis might find it cost them as much as 50 runs. Chasing, say, 270 would clearly have been far preferable than the 325 Australia rattled up on the back of Smith’s magnificent 164.

“We’re a very good fielding side,” coach Mike Hesson said. “Those things do happen. “We were a little bit frustrated with the fact we chased the game with the ball. We had some good plans in place and perhaps we need to back those a bit more.”

Now New Zealand will rely on smart thinking having been done to ensure the players are all on message on a pitch which threatens to be a road.

History paints that picture and Australian left-handed batsman Travis Head didn’t argue with that assessment yesterday.

“Going on past results it’s going to be a bat-off again.”

Worst case scenario, and New Zealand are batting second, they’ll take some heart from the fact they were well ahead of Australia on comparative run rates in Sydney for much of the chase. For a good part of their innings, New Zealand dared to dream.

That came courtesy of Martin Guptill’s century and other useful contributions from Jimmy Neesham and Colin Munro, who wasn’t at his best, but managed 49.

“Obviously when you’re chasing a really big target everything has to go your way,” the Auckland left-hander said. “Unfortunately, we weren’t on par yesterday which was disappointing. We’ve had a bit of chat about where we can be better.”

They were able to partly silence the spruikers who were talking up the much heralded three-pronged Australian pace attack of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and the recalled Pat Cummins, which won’t hurt their confidence. Hazlewood was good, the other two took some punishment.

The absence of Ross Taylor, who is having surgery on his left eye, has given the batting order a makeshift look, but Hesson gave both Neesham, who batted in Taylor’s No 4 spot, and Munro a decent rap.

Neesham is a clean striker of the ball and plays straight and should get another chance today.

It seems likely there will be only one change, with senior seam bowler Tim Southee expected to return, probably in place of rookie Lockie Ferguson, who pulled up sore after his opening international in Sydney but impressed with his pace.

The anticipated abrasive surface at Manuka Oval will help reverse swing. A rotation policy among the four fast bowlers, espoused by Hesson yesterday, plus the need to keep things tighter, mean much will fall on Southee’s shoulders today.

Another reason New Zealand must win today to keep their trophy hopes alive: the idea of going to Melbourne for a meaningless game three on Friday, with the air out of this rubber’s tyres, doesn’t bear thinking about.

Australia v NZ Second Chappell-Hadlee series ODI. Manuka Oval, Canberra, from 4.20pm today.