New Zealand believes it can save the one-day cricket series against Australia here on Wednesday following a dismal showing in the first of the three-match series.
New Zealand is likely to name an unchanged side for the match in which security will be stepped up after fruit and plastic bottles were thrown at Australian fielders in the first match in Auckland at the weekend.
Stand-in captain Daniel Vettori said key will be defusing the firepower of Australian speedster Brett Lee who took three for five in Auckland as the home side collapsed to be all out for 105 in the 147-run defeat.
"We need to answer some basic questions about what we need to do against him. I think we've done that and I think we'll get a turnaround in performance tomorrow," Vettori said Tuesday.
Repeated failures by New Zealand's top order batsmen are seeing them under increasing scrutiny. On Saturday, New Zealand's chances were ended by a collapse which saw them staggering at 33-6. Opener Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan and Hamish and James Marshall have been struggling for runs but Vettori says the selectors should keep faith.
"It's a situation where I think New Zealand cricket teams have done well in the past, when its backs against the wall," he said. "It seems to be our forte. I'm hoping that'll come out again tomorrow." Australia delayed the naming of their team with opening bowler Nathan Bracken still recovering Tuesday from a bout of flu.
But skipper Ricky Ponting said he believed Bracken would be fit for the match. Australian officials met their New Zealand counterparts Tuesday to discuss security after missiles were thrown at Australian players on the boundary. Ten people were arrested at the match and 40 were thrown out of the ground.
New Zealand officials said Sunday they would create a buffer in Wellington by keeping the first three rows of seats empty and would also restrict the amount of beer fans could buy at one time.
Australian team manager Steve Bernard said Tuesday the Australians were satisfied the issue of crowd behaviour was being taken seriously.
NEW ZEALAND (from): Daniel Vettori (captain), Nathan Astle, Lou Vincent, Hamish Marshall, James Marshall, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Jacob Oram, Brendon McCullum, James Franklin, Kyle Mills.
AUSTRALIA (from): Ricky Ponting (captain), Adam Gilchrist, Simon Katich, Brad Hodge, Andrew Symonds, Michael Clarke, Michael Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Hogg, Brett Lee, Stuart Clark, Nathan Bracken, Mick Lewis.