New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori has echoed coach John Wright and asked his batsmen to back up their bowlers if the home side have any chance of squaring the series against Pakistan when the second test begins at the Basin Reserve on Saturday.
The hosts' pace trio of Chris Martin, Brent Arnel and Tim Southee toiled on a unresponsive pitch to bowl Pakistan out for 367 in the first test at Seddon Park, before New Zealand's batsmen collapsed for 110 in their second innings. Pakistan knocked off the 19 runs needed for victory in under four overs to claim the first test by 10 wickets.
Wright, who was appointed to the job before the series began, said he was expecting his top six to bat longer in order to help set up competitive totals that his bowlers could then defend.
"I think the words that Wrighty has said have been great, he's hit the nail on the head on a number of occasions," Verttori told reporters in brilliant sunshine in Wellington on Friday. "We understand it was a poor performance but if we get too down in the dumps then we're not going to rectify it here. "We obviously didn't score enough runs in the last test but I thought the bowling unit did a good job.
"Tim in particular, I think I stated in the press conference after the test match that I think it's the best test match he has had and he has backed it up." While the Seddon Park was flat, the green pitch at the Basin Reserve is expected to provide more bounce, pace and assistance for the fast bowlers, which could see the New Zealand side rejigged.