Cricket: Bracewell desperate to win the tight ones

John Bracewell

Start winning the tight ones, and John Bracewell is sure New Zealand cricket can return to the golden days that marked his first year as coach.

The Black Caps' one-day record under Bracewell has dived in the second year of his tenure, something that they will need to turn around as the World Cup in early 2007 looms closer.

New Zealand have won seven of their last 20 one-day matches, resulting in their world ranking slipping to seventh. In the year previous, Bracewell's men won 16 of their 20 games.

Bracewell was adamant there were signs of a turnaround in their heart-stopping two-run loss to Australia at Wellington on Wednesday.

The only problem was they didn't get over the line, Australia holding their nerve best in a dramatic final over.

"If you look back a year or so ago we were winning those tight games. We were on the winning end of many a last-over match," Bracewell said.

"This year that hasn't run our way and I think that's just sometimes the nature of the game. When you get one that goes for you, you tend to get a flow of them go for you. Why? Not quite sure.

"The team with the rhythm and the confidence in those clutch ones tend to get there."

Statistics back up Bracewell's theory.

In the last five games involving New Zealand that have been "close" -- won by 25 runs or fewer, or by four wickets or less -- the opposition have emerged on top each time. The previous five such games were won by the Black Caps.

Bracewell believed his side outplayed Australia for most of the game in Wellington but slipped up at the end of Australia's innings when Andrew Symonds, who slammed 156, and Michael Clarke launched a withering assault.

"I think we lost 10 per cent of the match out of 100 overs," he said.

"That was at our death, which didn't fire for the first time for quite a while.

"It's a little bit hard to measure because I think there was an outstanding innings by Symonds. Once he got to his hundred he almost went on a celebratory slog and really took us to the sword."

Another plan that didn't work was the promotion of Craig McMillan from six to three but Bracewell was unrepentent, saying the strong McMillan had the weapons to maintain momentum at the top of the order, particularly when the fielding restrictions applied.

While the fanfare surrounding New Zealand's batting display has been loud, there must still be concern that McMillan, opener Nathan Astle and Hamish and James Marshall still looked out of sorts.

Bracewell, full of praise for his team despite their loss, remained confident they would come right.

One of them is likely to be dropped for tomorrow's final match of the series at Jade Stadium if, as expected, Stephen Fleming is recalled as captain today.

Fleming came through the four-day match which finished here yesterday between his Wellington team and Canterbury. Bracewell spoke at length yesterday with the 245-game veteran, who recently had surgery to remove a tumour from his jaw.

There won't be a return of Shane Bond however, who was ruled out of his third match with a hamstring strain.

So even though Brett Lee is missing for this match, Australia will still hold the pace bowling cards for the 100th match between the sides through the impressive Mick Lewis and uncapped Queenslander Mitchell Johnson, who flew over yesterday as a replacement.

While Bond remained on the sideline, Bracewell said New Zealand may be vulnerable in the field.

"We don't have a concern when we've got our full bowling attack together," he said.

"Some days you're just going to get a hammering because the surface is better than the bowlers.

- NZPA