Cricket: Styris to use Aussie 'arrogance' to his advantage

1.00pm

Australia's cricketing 'arrogance' is a weapon which can be used against them, according to Black Caps batsman Scott Styris.

With a test series against the world champions looming, the Black Caps' first assignment is to stop Australia at the initial hurdle in the Champions Trophy.

Styris said there was no longer any chance of the Australians taking New Zealand lightly after their impressive charge to second place in the one-day rankings.

"They're well aware that we're a good side capable of beating them on our day," he said.

"We've won nine or 10 in a row so we're every chance of beating them."

The Black Caps leave for England on Sunday and after some warm-up matches begin the Champions Trophy with a game against the US on September 10 and then face Australia on September 16.

It is in effect a sudden-death game with only one progressing out of the three teams.

Australia traditionally are slow starters to one-day tournaments, which could work in the Black Caps' favour. The Champions Trophy is also the one major prize which still eludes Australia.

The New Zealanders are one-up on the Australians there after winning it in 2000 and the prize they will seek later this year is their first test victory on Australian soil since 1986.

And Styris believes they have the team and strategy to do it.

"Their wickets are fantastic and the way they play the game is great but if you can be disciplined against them you can do well," he said.

"They try and bully and blow you away from the start but if you hang in and take them to day five their arrogance will force them to try and hurry it and maybe make a mistake.

"You can put pressure on them and frustrate them."

Those tactics almost paid off in the test series three years ago when only poor umpiring allowed Australia to salvage a draw in the third test in Perth.

Steve Waugh is now missing from the Australian side after retiring this year and Glenn McGrath is now 34, possibly offering some hope for the New Zealanders.

"They have players who're coming to the end of fantastic careers and it could be an opportunity to strike," Styris said.

Styris aims for a century against each country he plays and so far has been remarkably successful, scoring four centuries against six different opponents.

"Hundreds in terms of batting is what it's all about because that leads to your team winning," he said.

"I've set the goal of 100 in every series we play."

It will be his first test series against Australia as he looks to add to his 1072 test runs scored at an average of 42.88.

- NZPA