Mark Richardson: Black Caps continue to surprise

Practice makes perfect and in Christchurch the Black Caps paced their run chase perfectly. But they've had a lot of practice at that lately and, in Wellington, when they batted first, it was a case of more practice required.

In putting together a below-par total of 224, the Black Caps showed a lack of clarity and familiarity with the disciplines associated with setting a total - understandable given they generally avoid it like the plague. However, if you set a total, you still have to defend it and the way the team did just that was heartening indeed.

When a side chases a total, they put themselves under what is called 'scoreboard pressure'. They are chasing a total posted on the board and, whatever their current predicament, that score must be reached or the game is lost. It is a pressure many teams and players wilt under but, for some reason, it seems to bring the best out of our boys.

The Black Caps bat with a never-say-die attitude and, as shown during the Chappell-Hadlee series with the depth they have in the order, can not only surprise the public but also themselves with what they can achieve.

However, when a side sets a total, the scoreboard pressure is removed. What is required? What is acceptable? What needs to be done? Those are all questions the batting team needs to answer and the answers are not dictated by the team that previously had their turn at the crease. In Wellington, the pitch was dryer than the one used for the Chappell-Hadlee game when 322 was nearly chased down.

It was like a typical, but good, New Zealand pitch which was going to slow up as the game progressed and be very hard on which to time shots once the shine went from the ball.

The New Zealanders had the history of the wicket to help them but that is only one consideration when planning a total-setting strategy. A good setting team can think on their feet quickly, assess, reassess and get themselves on the right side of par.

It looked, in the last game, that the New Zealanders believed a huge total was required and felt they were behind the eight ball. In trying to lift the rate, some played inappropriate cricket shots and sold themselves short.

Practice and experience in this role will improve this team out of sight and make them an all-round force.

Then again, they defended a sub-par score admirably with a never-say-die bowling display.

They have Bond's pace, strike power and ability to come back in the middle overs to take wickets; Styris' versatility; and the containing abilities of Patel and Vettori.

Perhaps the Black Caps need to think more in terms of defending totals than setting totals to get the job done on slowing wickets.