Cricket: Fleming vows to learn from Australia thrashing

ADELAIDE - While Australian judges were spoilt for choice before selecting Glenn McGrath as man of the series, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming pondered the extent of the psychological damage suffered by his side during the mis-matched Trans-Tasman Trophy cricket series.

Australia cross the Tasman in February for three tests and a one-day series that, given the events of the last three weeks, should be greeted with a great sense of trepidation.

Soundly beaten by 213 runs at the Adelaide Oval yesterday, the Black Caps managed a collective smile when troubled opener Mark Richardson won his foot race -- but Fleming is justifiably concerned about how his team will bounce back from a demoralising campaign.

"It's been a very tough series from a personal point of view, and once again a very tough learning curve for the team. "

The priority now was for the players to absorb painful lessons from back-to-back maulings by the world champions.

"I look at how much the players have learnt," Fleming said.

"That's the only real thing you can do when you're out played like we've been.

"You've got to actually look at how good the Australians have played and try to learn something from it.

"We've got a group of young bowlers there .... and even in my situation I'm still learning from some of these players," said Fleming, who contributed a mere 97 from four innings.

"If we don't do that we've missed an opportunity.

"The challenge for John (coach, Bracewell) and myself is to make sure that information doesn't slip by with guys being depressed or too down on themselves.

"You've got to be professional and understand the hiding we've taken but walk away a better side for it. "

The greying Richardson gave a candid appraisal of how he was mentally scarred by the experience after beating Darren Lehmann in a contest that arguably held greater interest than the actual matches.

The 33 year-old boasted an average of 47.03 when he landed. It has since slipped to 44 after he scored just 48 in four innings -- his highest score of 19 a galling 42 less than tailender Glenn McGrath scored at the Gabba.

Richardson dropped McGrath on 11 before the fast bowler put on a century stand with Gillespie, but it was his batting that has the Aucklander reassessing his future.

"What I faced out there was a level above anything I've faced before," he said of a torrid time against McGrath, Gillespie, Michael Kasprowicz and Shane Warne.

"Personally I didn't feel up to the level those guys play.

"Darren (Lehmann) says you play if you're still enjoying it. It's for me to decide really.

"I've got some games for Auckland that are really important. I'll go out there and find my timing and hopefully get some success. "

Richardson, who is used to blunting attacks through sheer bloody mindedness, said the series had been easily the least enjoyable of his 38-test career.

"It was a hard level and mentally taxing. I need to find a little bit of enjoyment in the game really. "

Richardson heads home with James Franklin, Chris Martin and Paul Wiseman today, making way for the arrival of Chris Cairns, Chris Harris and Andre Adams for the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy one-day series.

Considering the Black Caps have won 18 of their last 21 one-day encounters, Fleming hopes a continuation of that form will lift the spirits, starting at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on Sunday.

"We have to play some good one day cricket as a catalyst to move forward test-wise," he said.

The upcoming visit by Sri Lanka was also crucial in restoring confidence before Australia return in a series he thought would still prove popular among New Zealand cricket fans despite the gulf in class between the teams.

"They're a big drawcard and I think people will want to see quality players. "

- NZPA