Cricket: Bracewell questions Chappell's Black Caps assessment

1.00pm - By CHRIS BARCLAY

ADELAIDE - New Zealand coach John Bracewell has questioned a critique of the Black Caps batting mindset by former Australian captain Greg Chappell, but has not ruled out taking advice from the cricket legend as the tourists seek redemption after a first test thumping.

Bracewell and the Black Caps arrived here yesterday to prepare for Friday's second Trans-Tasman Trophy test at the Adelaide Oval, anxious to prevent a repeat of their dire innings and 156-run capitulation in Brisbane on Sunday.

Chappell has clear views on how to remedy a batting malaise, which saw New Zealand scrape together only 76 in their second innings.

In essence, Chappell said they must dispense with a timid, ultra-defensive approach which plays into the hands of the Australian strikeforce.

Chappell said he was alarmed at the lack of intent in New Zealand's top-six batsmen and advocated a change in the tourists' mentality.

"They are trying to occupy the crease but the problem with that is you lose the reason to bat," said Chappell, who offered to counsel the Black Caps.

"When you go out to survive you get into a defensive mentality, and against the likes of (Glenn) McGrath, (Jason) Gillespie and (Shane) Warne you just become sitting ducks."

Bracewell, who did not rule out Chappell assisting the Black Caps in their preparation, did not agree with summation.

New Zealand's best hopes of lasting the distance was to occupy the crease and tire the bowlers and it was, he said, a strategy that showed signs of succeeding.

"The intent was to make sure we wore the Australians down.

"The way they played on the last session on the first day and the way Jacob Oram and Kyle Mills were able to bat on the second day showed we weren't far off that.

"Their bowling attack showed it was weary -- but to give them a day and a half with their feet up to come out and bowl again (in the second innings) is something we've got to address. "

It should be noted, however, that the two main Australian bowlers -- Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie were barely rested considering they completed a 114-run partnership 10 minutes before scything through the New Zealand top order.

Chappell maintained continually leaving balls alone and only playing straight ones was a concession of defeat -- although the tactic worked when New Zealand last visited three years ago.

Bracewell countered by saying his side was simply not equipped to go on all out attack against the world champions.

"I don't think Australia are a side from the outset you can go all guns blazing. It's a nice thing to say but you've got to have the skills set to be able to do it right the way through the order.

"New Zealanders are not the West Indies and we're not Australia.

"Are you saying (opener) Mark Richardson is going to go out blazing?"

Captain Stephen Fleming and Bracewell will ponder the composition of the team after inspecting a wicket that traditionally favours slow bowlers.

Left arm fast bowler James Franklin (groin) should be available and playing two spinners would be considered as Paul Wiseman was chosen with this match in mind.

Meanwhile, Bracewell was confident the players would bounce back from the Gabba debacle.

"We were pretty sound up until the point where quite frankly we were beaten up.

"I thought the Australians were fading but they came back at us hard and gained a lot of energy from two substantial partnerships."

Bracewell took issue with Australian batsman Darren Lehmann who said the Black Caps were "psychologically bruised".

"I don't know what Darren's psychology qualifications are and I think it's unfair to label all players under the same thing.

"You can't generalise in that statement but it's nice that's he doing some work towards his retirement by furthering his education."

New Zealand were to train at the test venue today; the team will be named tomorrow.

- NZPA