Axe faces NZ top-order 6 Dec 2009
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Fresh in the mind of the selectors will be a pair of feeble performances, on a Basin Reserve wicket that was ideal for run-scoring, to lose by 141 runs to Pakistan and let the tourists back in the series at 1-all.
The bowlers did their job sans Shane Bond, dismissing Pakistan for 264 and 239, but efforts of 99 and 263 with the bat were New Zealand's undoing.
The home side has five days to turn it around in the decider at Napier, even if some members of the top-six at the Basin are unlikely to receive the opportunity.
Every specialist batsman, Taylor apart, are averaging below 20 in the series and it seems it is who upon, rather than if, the axe will fall when the third Test squad is named on Monday.
"I think a couple of guys are going to come under severe scrutiny. That's only right," Vettori said.
"That's the nature of Test cricket - you get some chances but not many. There's going to be some guys that are probably going to have some tough news."
Vettori said those scoring runs in domestic cricket, such as recent centurions Neil Broom and BJ Watling 'would get a mention' in the selection room.
By the week's end they may find themselves walking out onto a batsman's paradise at McLean Park, although Vettori was quick to point out that the Wellington wicket was 'a pretty good deck too'.
Which makes it all the more worse that New Zealand was shot out for 99 on the second day in only 36.5 overs – the first time it had failed to reach triple figures in five years.
"The first innings performance is something that can't be explained, you can't apologise for it," Vettori conceded.
"It was devastating for our bowlers to do so well and then only bat for 36 overs.
"I suppose in my mind I have to balance up not being too scathing and trying to give these guys some confidence heading into a deciding Test match.
"You have to review yourself and be pretty tough on yourself.
"From the time we leave here you've got to start building confidence for Napier because there's no point getting down because if you get another chance you've got to take it."
Asked if the batting issues were self-belief, confidence or technically-based, he said:"It's probably all of those.
"Guys have fought their way back into the team with first class performances so they should be in a good space about their form.
"And other guys have got Test match performances under their belt so...it is partly all of those things and if we could pinpoint it then it would make a huge difference."
Source: SportalNews
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