Cricket: Brownlie believes positivity the key

Dean Brownlie. Photo / NZME.

New Zealand batsman Dean Brownlie believes his side must maintain a positive attitude towards South Africa's impressive bowling attack as they strive for a maiden win in the final ODI at Seddon Park today.

South Africa were convincing winners in the two games at Mt Maunganui last week and early-season blues were most notable among the batting group.

Brownlie, back in the national side after an absence of just over a year, has stepped in at No 3 for the injured Kane Williamson and scores of 24 and 20 represent starts but not going on as he'd have liked.

It may be easier said than done, but as well as the South African seamers have bowled, Brownlie is keen to stop the visitors calling the shots with the ball.

"Hopefully we can take it to the South African bowlers because I guess they've been dictating how we've been playing," Brownlie said.

"We have probably allowed them to bowl at us a little too much, so we'd like to be a little more positive."

The last two results notwithstanding, Brownlie believes there is a residue of confidence within the group from the way they performed last summer in beating the West Indies and India.

At the start of last year Brownlie hit a fine test century against South Africa at Cape Town. Since then he's been out of the side, fought his way back in through New Zealand A form in England a few weeks ago and now has the chance to push his World Cup claims.

He's aware there's plenty of cricket to be played before then but at least he's in and, in the absence through injury of Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor, has an opportunity.

"You enjoy playing against the best in the world. It's a great challenge for me and the rest of the team."

New Zealand are expected to give seamer Matt Henry his first chance of the series today, and may opt for just one spinner, Nathan McCullum, giving Dan Vettori the day off.

As for the South Africans, they are without left arm spinner Aaron Phangiso, sidelined with a finger injury, and legspinner Imran Tahir, who damaged a shoulder diving in the outfield last Friday.

That reduces their options to 13, and the word is champion speedster Dale Steyn might get the day off too.

However, taking it easy with the series wrapped up, isn't in their thinking.

"For us, losing and taking the foot off the pedal is not an option," lanky seamer Morne Morkel said yesterday.

Hamilton is also South Africa's opening World Cup venue, against Zimbabwe on February 15. Although many of their players are familiar with Seddon Park, it is still important they bank away local knowledge.

"It was very important for us to do this tour and find our feet and know what to expect weather-wise, conditions-wise and pitch-wise," Morkel said.

"Our language around the World Cup for the last couple of months has been very positive. If we keep feeding off that I know the boys will be ready."

Ryder talk sidelined - for now

New Zealand Cricket will remain silent on the Jesse Ryder issue until the national A team to tour the United Arab Emirates is named tomorrow.

Officials have been in meetings over the weekend to try to find out how committed the burly lefthander is to the New Zealand World Cup cause.

The test squad fly to the UAE on Thursday. The NZ A group have games against the World Cup-bound associate member nations Ireland, Afghanistan and the UAE in Dubai late next month and several will be part of the five-game ODI series against Pakistan in December.

Any player not in the UAE, either with the test squad or the A group, is basically out of the running for the World Cup 15, which is expected to be announced in early January, just over a month before the cup starts on February 14.

Captain Brendon McCullum last week pointed out he had not heard Ryder clearly commit himself to playing for New Zealand.

NZC have given Ryder every opportunity, including the chance to play in the North-South T20 game this Friday night. That offer was rejected by the player.

NZC want to get the final ODI against South Africa in Hamilton today out of the way without more Ryder talk muddying the waters.