Cricket: NSW hiding a huge reality check for Black Caps

SYDNEY - New South Wales' crushing nine-wicket win over New Zealand yesterday has given the tourists a massive reality check four days from the start of the first cricket test against Australia in Brisbane.

The New Zealanders rushed to the practice nets after their humiliating defeat, which exposed a brittle batting lineup.

The Blacks Caps derived little satisfaction from their only pre-test dress rehearsal after NSW reached their victory target of 129 soon after lunch on the final day of the game.

NSW were hardly stretched after the tourists could score just 213 and 201 in their two innings.

Coach John Bracewell tried to put a positive spin on the contest but with the tests looming, and the availability of captain Stephen Fleming still uncertain, he should be a worried man after witnessing two limp batting displays and a willing but non-penetrating bowling effort.

Bracewell acknowledged Fleming's arrival on Saturday was the highlight of the four-day match, with the skipper helping to raise spirits after a demoralising display.

"He's been the leader of the side for eight years and they will gain strength from that," he said.

"He's our best-ever captain, statistically the best-ever batter ... he obviously gives confidence to the side."

Fleming arrived armed with a plan to unsettle Australia, but he is not assured of implementing it first-hand as he struggles to shake off a mystery virus.

He will make a final decision on his fitness on Wednesday, but in an encouraging sign he did bat in the nets yesterday.

Nathan Astle also batted for the first time since he awoke with back spasms on Thursday, and spinner Daniel Vettori had his first bowl since a shoulder niggle ruled him out of the game against NSW.

Vettori is a certainty for the first test at the Gabba, but question marks over Fleming and Astle remain.

Craig McMillan, brought in as cover for Fleming, will travel with the squad to Brisbane today.

Astle and Fleming are desperately needed to shore up a batting order that spectacularly lost seven for 18 on a placid pitch yesterday.

Bracewell was understandably critical of a batting display that tallied a combined 414 runs.

"We need to understand that in order to be competitive against Australia, individuals have to commit themselves to batting for six hours.

"After soft cricket in Bangladesh I think the guys are pretty realistic about what they need to do over the next three or four days to get things right."

Openers Mathew Sinclair and Mark Richardson, who made a second-innings 50, were the only New Zealand batsmen to spend any quality time in the middle.

Sinclair, who strained a hamstring while scoring 79 yesterday, had a match aggregate of 167.

Bracewell was happier with the bowling, though the tourists appeared incapable of running through NSW.

"It may not look like it but that's probably the best we've bowled in the last 12 months as a collective unit," he said.

"I was really pleased with the lines."

- NZPA