Adam Parore: Indicators all point one way

COMMENT

New Zealand, with phase one successfully accomplished, now need to set their sights on completing a miserable tour for the South Africans in the test series.

They will take immense confidence into the first test in Hamilton next week.

Over-confidence? I don't think so.

It will be drummed into the players that they are only as good as their last game and New Zealand players traditionally don't get ideas above their station in the cricket world. They have seen the depressing side of the game over the years too often for that to happen.

In any case, I'd rather they went in buoyed by a little too much confidence than the reverse. Over-confidence can be reined in, but if you are out of sorts it is far harder to work out what is going wrong and how to rectify it.

The week off between the end of their 5-1 one-day series win and the start of the tests will be a good break, a chance to reflect and look ahead as they put their plans in place.

Forget the difficulties of switching from one-day to five-day cricket. These days players are so used to swapping their coloured clothing for the whites that it is not an issue.

In any case, many players take the same approach in both forms of the game, with their test game only kept slightly in check. If you bowl a half-volley to Graeme Smith first ball in a test he'll do exactly what he would if it was a one-dayer: bang it to the fence. Take a look at average test run rates in the last few years. Most countries are scoring more runs an over than five years ago.

John Bracewell's role in New Zealand's success is absolutely critical. He has taken the heat off Stephen Fleming and it's no coincidence that Fleming is near the top of his game after being out of sorts earlier in the season when the coaching job was in a transitional period.

Bracewell coaches what I'd call the top 10 per cent. As an example, he won't teach a player how to play a forward defensive shot. But he will give a good test batsman a tip to fine tune the stroke. There's no question he is making a significant impact and working well with his captain.

We are not used to seeing New Zealand obliterating class opposition day in, day out, and after that opening loss they were clinical and dominant all series.

They won in a way we're used to seeing Australia - or South Africa, for that matter - win.

The South Africans are in a mess. Their problems are starting with their captain and I think New Zealand deserve much credit for the way they have handled Smith, who arrived here with a big reputation.

New Zealand looked at him and recognised a talented batsman who is aggressive and has natural leadership skills. But when you lack experience you try to compensate with enthusiasm and bravado. We've all seen young players take that approach and if their bluff is called you often find there's nothing much there.

New Zealand have wound Smith up a treat. You can't play international cricket for 15 years with that level of passion. If he doesn't ease back he's going to blow a gasket.

There's the odd whisper all is not happy in the South African camp and I'm sure that's the case. When you have a world-class side accustomed to winning well - and everywhere - and they're getting absolutely flogged they won't exactly be full of the joys of the world.

And when that happens the first thing is you start bagging the guys around you.

That's one reason I reckon the arrival of Gary Kirsten is critical. He is as good as it gets, a fine temperament and a very steadying influence. If you look at his numbers - 20 hundreds, 33 fifties in 98 tests at 45.12, and 50.07 against New Zealand - he's right up there. He can hold his hand up in any conversation. We always found him very hard to get out.

I'm sure South Africa will make runs in the tests. Batsmen of the class of Smith, Herschelle Gibbs, Jacques Kallis and Kirsten are too good to struggle for long periods. But there is a big difference between setting out in your first innings chasing, say, 260 as opposed to 500 and it boils down to pressure.

On the one hand South Africa's batsmen can set about their innings at their own pace and on their terms. On the other, they are up against an opponent with their tails up, aggressive and confident and with plenty of runs in the bank. A huge mental difference.

And that's why South Africa's biggest worry has to be their bowlers. They look a shambles, lack direction and for the first time I can remember lack penetration.

I'd be working on getting Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini, their kingpins, back in form. If they are not, then I can't see how South Africa can win the test series.