Cricket: Black Caps searching for the road back

Martin Guptill could replace Peter Ingram at the top of the order. Photo / Christine Cornege

While Australia sail on with a decent breeze at their backs, New Zealand are in port making running repairs ahead of today's fourth ODI at Eden Park.

With the visitors 2-1 up in the Chappell Hadlee series, after their six-wicket cruise in Hamilton on Tuesday night, they have the momentum; New Zealand need to find a way back into the contest, win it and set up a decider in Wellington on Saturday.

Right now, the euphoria of Napier eight days ago is fading fast. That means changes. New Zealand need to find the key to getting more out of their best players.

That could be bad news for opener Peter Ingram who, after a bright start at Napier, has been found wanting in the last two ODIs. Australia's fast-medium men appear to have marked his card.

If New Zealand pull up satisfactorily today from fitness assessments yesterday, expect seamer Daryl Tuffey and allrounder James Franklin to return, after calf and hamstring twinges respectively.

Coach Mark Greatbatch talked yesterday of the need to make sure the leading batsmen get the best opportunity to shine. He might also want to drum into them the imperative of not gifting their wickets early on, of batting with brains - even in a game where taking chances is part of the equation.

"We have got some options, so I'd say you're probably going to see some changes," Greatbatch said.

Asked if he meant in approach or personnel, he pointedly observed that the approach was right.

"We're trying to be aggressive but we need to be smart. When the Aussies bowl good balls at us we need to defend them and negate what they're trying to do."

Martin Guptill began his ODI career as an opener, with a century on debut at Eden Park against the West Indies last summer.

Seven of his 28 ODIs have been going in first, and in those he's averaging a robust 62.2. But he's been at No 3 19 times, with Jesse Ryder, Aaron Redmond and Ingram partnering Brendon McCullum at the top. His overall average is 37.95.

Guptill could do with some runs, and it might be a promotion today on a "needs must" basis. Then again, there may be thought given to a one-off wildcard option.

Bullish Scott Styris could be a beneficiary of a rejigging, up as high as No 4, and even captain Dan Vettori, not a big fan of bumping himself up the order, might be prevailed upon today.

"We might have missed a beat with Dan. He's a bit reluctant sometimes to go up, but we need to get our best players in certain areas in order to create that momentum," Greatbatch added.

Although not quite a case of throwing names in the air and seeing where they fall, there are plenty of ifs and buts to exercise the selectors' minds.

The bottom line is getting the mix right. Uncapped Shanan Stewart is there; Neil Broom might slip back down to his old late-innings hitting slot; while wicketkeeper Gareth Hopkins has rapidly become a significant asset with the bat.

"We need to stay longer in the game with Australia," Greatbatch said. "If you don't, you end up getting pushed backwards."

New Zealand will want to chase on the oddly angled Eden Park. In Hamilton, Australian captain Ricky Ponting stole a march by sending the hosts in - against his usual preference - and, in racing parlance, they won going away.

If he wins the toss, he might tweak New Zealand's tail in the same fashion again.

"I think it's probably New Zealand's favoured way of playing [chasing runs]," Ponting said. "[Eden Park] is a ground where chasing runs is pretty achievable as well, so we will think about that again."

Tasmanian captain George Bailey has joined the Australian squad in place of vice-captain Michael Clarke for the remaining two ODIs. Bailey led Tasmania to the national one-day title, hitting 538 runs at a healthy 59.77.

Clarke will rejoin the Australian squad for the two-test series next week.

The squad of 14 includes specialist test openers Simon Katich and Phil Hughes, uncapped but in-form paceman Ryan Harris and young legspinning allrounder Steven Smith.

NZ v Australia

4th ODI, Eden Park, 2pm today

New Zealand: (from) Dan Vettori (c), Brendon McCullum, Peter Ingram, Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, James Franklin, Shanan Stewart, Gareth Hopkins, Neil Broom, Nathan McCullum, Daryl Tuffey, Shane Bond, Tim Southee, Michael Mason.

Australia: (from) Ricky Ponting (c), Brad Haddin, Shane Watson, Michael Hussey, Cameron White, Adam Voges, George Bailey, James Hopes, Nathan Hauritz, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Doug Bollinger, Clint McKay.