KEY POINTS:
After being put under the cosh by England in Auckland last week, the core of New Zealand's experienced cricketers also go under the hammer in Mumbai tomorrow.
But skipper Daniel Vettori doesn't think the Indian Premier League's (IPL) player auction will divert attention from wrapping up the one-day
series here tomorrow.
The auction, which enables the eight Twenty20 franchises to construct their rosters for the inaugural competition in mid-April, coincides with the staging of the fourth ODI here at Napier's McLean Park.
And given the riches on offer, the quartet of active Black Caps up for grabs might be forgiven for worrying about how the bidding process is unfolding.
Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, Scott Styris and Vettori will learn their fate - and asking price - tomorrow.
New Zealand's other IPL contracted player, Stephen Fleming, can relax now he is no longer an ODI player.
Regardless of where the New Zealanders end up in the pecking order of international stars, big money is at stake as the franchises divvy up their US$5 million ($6.36 million) salary cap.
Retirement-bound Australian Adam Gilchrist is expected to be the most coveted signature and could attract bids of US$1 million.
Vettori, who has to ensure his side is back on track after suffering a six-wicket reversal at Eden Park on Saturday night, said the auction would not prey on his or his teammate's minds.
"We're not allowed our phones on in the dressing room but I'm sure someone will have their's on," he joked before adding: "I don't think it's a distraction.
"It's the environment these days with all these things going on.
"It's almost like other sports around the world where contract negotiations seem to play a huge part in the day-to-day game."
The spinner, whose standing as the world's top ODI bowler guarantees he will figure prominently on the hit list, was confident the team would be able to rise above the upheaval.
"It will be the mark of a good side if (the players) can put those dilemmas to one side and just worry about the cricket - almost look at the cricket as a sanctuary and doing the thing that you love," he said.
"I think they'll looking forward to the game and a little bit of time to forget about all that other stuff."
He also denied the auction, a significant step in the formation of the IPL, could be divisive inside the New Zealand dressing room after bowlers Chris Martin and Kyle Mills were not considered worthy - and therefore vulnerable to approaches by the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL).
"There are always going to be people who unfortunately miss out but if you put performances together consistently on the park then people will stand up and take notice. We hope it's an incentive-based thing for guys in the side," Vettori said.
Martin suggested team harmony had not been compromised, at least from his point of view.
"I'm just sitting back and enjoying playing for New Zealand in all forms of the game, which is something I've been striving to do over the last few years," he said, though talk of India had intensified among the team.
"It's a fact of life and something that isn't going to go away.
"As far as conversations in the dressing room .... perhaps they were a bit more secretive in the early days. As the months have gone by it's become commonplace to talk about these things.
"We're interested to see how it pans out. A lot of the guys are at the start or end of their careers - it effects everyone a little bit differently."
There is no excuse for England to lose focus as they strive to level the series and force a decider in Christchurch on Saturday - a demanding schedule means their players are not available for the IPL.
Opener Alastair Cook was vague when questioned about the machinations set to unfold in Mumbai.
"I don't know anything about it," he said.
"I don't think they'd be interested in a blocker from Essex."
- NZPA
