Punter expects toned-down McCullum

Ricky Ponting does not expect Brendon McCullum to bat as he did on Sunday when the teams meet in the Chappell-Hadlee series on Wednesday.

McCullum played a cavalier innings, cracking 116 from 56 balls, and New Zealand eventually won a one-over eliminator after Australia matched their hosts' total of 214.

Ponting, who does not play Twenty20 for Australia but remains a key man in the 50-over team, cannot see McCullum taking the same attitude into the longer version of the one-day game.

"I'd be surprised if he plays that way and those sort of shots in a 50-over game. The way he played the other day was pretty much down to having to do that because of the format," Ponting said.

"He'll probably feel a bit more responsibility going into a 50-over game as well. Being one of their most experienced players and probably their batter in the best form at the moment he'll probably put it on himself to try to bat for longer periods.

"But as a result of some of the things he did do the other night there has been some conversation around the group about the way we should bowl if he plays some of those shots again so I think we've all learned from watching his innings."

New Zealand halted Australia's unbeaten summer run with their thrilling victory in Christchurch.

However Ponting's men last tasted 50-over one-day international defeat at the end of October last year against India. Since then they have won three on the trot against the Indians to wrap up that series 4-2 and swept aside Pakistan (5-0) and the West Indies (4-0) on home soil.

"Our boys have been on the road for a while and playing a lot of cricket and our form of late has been terrific," Ponting explained.

"So as I've said to our guys right from the start of the summer, it's about trying to find ways to make yourselves better players day in and day out and in the majority of the summer we were able to do that.

"And our team performances probably got better and better as a result.

"We know we have got to give the Kiwis a lot of attention. They're a very good one-day outfit and they've got some matchwinners in their side as we saw the other night, so we have to make sure we start the series well."

Ponting laughed off the impact of the Twenty20 defeat.

"It didn't affect me because I wasn't in the side!" he said.

"There's a few guys coming into this team that didn't play the other night so what generally happens then is that those guys generally bring in a different sort of attitude and probably a more energetic attitude considering they've had a week off."

Ahead of the one-day international in Napier, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori stressed he would urge McCullum to play in the same uninhibited manner which brought him success in Sunday's match.

"We want Brendon to keep playing the same way," Vettori said. "We'd love that to happen all the time but the nature of cricket means it doesn't so we need other guys to step up."

Vettori predicted a high-scoring match, on a pitch where spin bowlers may struggle to be economical, and picked out Ponting and David Hussey as major threats from the Australia batting line-up.

"They're bringing in some quality players and they're bringing in the team that's dominated their one-day series back home," Vettori said.

"We've got to get up to speed with a lot of them. But they're obviously bringing in one of the best batsmen of all time in Ricky Ponting, so he's a guy we're going to have to really prepare for.

"Him and Hussey have amazing records against us so for us to stop them were going to have to do well against those two in particular."

Vettori relishes the clashes with Australia and knows the New Zealand public feel the same. He also suggests the New Zealand team's performance against their neighbours is how the rest of the world judge them.

He said: "It means a lot to us and it's basically our credibility within world cricket. If we can step up against these guys, play well and win, then people respect us as a team. If we roll over then our summer has been a disappointment."

Lee and Bracken stay in Twenty20 sights

Nathan Bracken and Brett Lee have points to prove after long lay-offs © Associated Press

Brett Lee and Nathan Bracken remain in Australia's plans despite long-term injuries after they were named in the preliminary 30-man squad for the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean. Lee retired from Teststhis week because his body can't cope with the workload, but he wants to return to national action in the limited-overs formats.

An elbow problem is Lee's current concern while Bracken is on the way back from surgery, but both have a tough task to win spots in the final 15-man squad for the tournament starting in April. Andrew Hilditch and his fellow selectors have also given hope to Brad Hodge, the 35-year-old batsman, who has not played for Australia since 2008.

There are four new players in the squad with George Bailey, the Tasmania captain, included as well as his state team-mate Xavier Doherty, the left-arm spinner. The Victoria allrounder John Hastings and Ben Cutting, the Queensland fast bowler, have also been given some encouragement after strong domestic campaigns.

"We consider the squad to contain a good blend of youth and experience with several players who have excelled in Twenty20 cricket both internationally and domestically this year," Hilditch said. "From this 30 we hope to pick a final World Twenty20 squad that if it plays to its ability will be a very exciting, entertaining and extremely competitive." Australia have been grouped with Pakistan and Bangladesh and must finish on top to avoid being knocked out in the first round for the second World Twenty20 in a row.

Australia men's squad Michael Clarke (capt), George Bailey, Travis Birt, Doug Bollinger, Nathan Bracken, Daniel Christian, Ben Cutting, Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin (wk), Ryan Harris, John Hastings, Nathan Hauritz, Moises Henriques, Brad Hodge, James Hopes, David Hussey, Michael Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Andrew McDonald, Shaun Marsh, Clint McKay, Dirk Nannes, Tim Paine (wk), Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, Adam Voges, David Warner, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

Australia women's squad Jodie Fields (capt, wk), Sarah Andrews, Kristen Beams, Alex Blackwell, Kris Britt, Melissa Bulow, Jessica Cameron, Sarah Coyte, Lauren Ebsary, Sarah Elliott, Rene Farrell, Katelyn Fryett, Rachael Haynes, Alyssa Healy (wk), Julie Hunter, Jessica Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Meg Lanning, Renee Melton, Shelley Nitschke, Erin Osborne, Ellyse Perry, Kirsten Pike, Leah Poulton, Angela Reakes, Lisa Sthalekar, Selena Tainton, Elyse Villani, Julie Woerner, Laura Wright.

Tait looks to Wellington wind for extra speed

Shaun Tait would love to bowl the quickest ball of all time© Getty Images

Shaun Tait is keen to take full advantage of what he hopes will be strong wind in Wellington as he aims to crank his speed past 160kph for the second time this month. In New Zealand, Tait has only ever played internationals in Auckland and Hamilton and is looking forward to testing out men like Brendon McCullum and Ross Taylor in Friday night's first Twenty20.

"I've never played here before - the wind, I've got to get the right end," Tait told the Sydney Morning Herald. "I don't want to be pushing into it. It doesn't always happen that you know you can bowl at that sort of speed but when the time does come, every now and again, you're always going to have a crack at the quicker ball. I look up at the screen reasonably often to have a look at the speeds myself. Sometimes you can't help yourself.

"When you hit that 160 mark as a fast bowler, that's a pretty special feeling. The adrenaline is pumping, the crowd in Melbourne was really getting into it when I did it there. But you've got to be careful not to put too much pressure on yourself. The main thing I've got to do is take wickets."

Tait broke through the 160kph barrier during the Twenty20 against Pakistan at the MCG earlier this month when he let one delivery rip at 160.7kph. It was the fastest ball ever recorded in a match in Australia - the quickest anywhere was Shoaib Akhtar at 161.3kph in the 2003 World Cup - but Tait said he wasn't always convinced at the accuracy of the speed guns.

"You can tell when you're bowling around 160," Tait said. "Back home it seems like the Foxtel cameras are slower than the Channel Nine ones. But that doesn't matter. When you get up to the 160 mark, it's slightly rewarding. It's not something I think about all the time - but it'd be great to bowl the fastest recorded ball of all time."

Warne denies bust-up with Ponting

Shane Warne denied having a heated argument with Ricky Ponting over the Australian cricketers' participation in the IPL.

"There was no heated disagreement between me andRicky," said Warne, who led the Jaipur-based Rajasthan Royals to a fairytale triumph in the first edition of the cash-awash league.

"We're mates, we get along fine. There were a lot of people asking (Australian Cricketers Association chief executive) Paul Marsh for clarity on some issues. I think that's healthy. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion," Warne was quoted as saying by 'The Daily Telegraph'.

A report in 'The Australian', however, claimed that the cricketers were "at each other's throats" during a security briefing in Sydney yesterday.

According to the daily, freelance former players like Warne, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist are all for playing in the IPL, while majority of the Cricket Australia-contracted players are little cagey about it.

"It is understood the past players, including Shane Warne, Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist clashed with Australia's captain Ricky Ponting during the meeting," the report claimed, quoting sources. .

ACA chief executive Paul Marsh, however, was confident that the players would show solidarity till the issue is resolved.

"That's something we are still working through, it's the way we have operated in the past and I guess we have a couple of weeks to work through that," Marsh said.

Warne, meanwhile, said that with the Indian government throwing its weight behind IPL's security contractor Nicholls Steyn, there should not be worry for the players.

"I think the development overnight is that the Indian Government is going to get behind Nicholls Steyn, the IPL security people, (and) ramp up security for the players," he said.

"That will give the players comfort, and that was the main aim of the players' association. I think it's going to work pretty well," said Warne.

Lee an 'all-time express great'

"I don't think the public would appreciate how much pain he bowled in" © AFP

Brett Lee has retired from Tests after 76 games and 310 wickets in the hope of prolonging his one-day and Twenty20 careers. Here are some tributes from current and former players and administrators.

Dennis Lillee
"Brett is going to go down as one of the great all-time express bowlers in the world ... 150-plus kph puts a huge strain on the body and it can only take so much. For him to play 76 Tests and 300-odd wickets doing what he does is a credit to him."

Andrew Flintoff
"It is very sad to hear the news that Brett is to retire from Test cricket. Everyone will remember our little moment we shared after the Edgbaston Test in 2005, but for me the great battles with bat and ball against Brett will live with me for a long time."

Richie Benaud
"I hope Brett is able to continue to play for Australia in limited-overs internationals, he is a master of orthodox and reverse-swing and no one has ever been more proud to represent his country in Test cricket. Lee and Glenn McGrath formed a splendid partnership with the new ball in both forms of the game from 1999 to 2007 and being one of only nine Australian pace bowlers to take 200 Test wickets is a great achievement."

Damien Fleming
''Of the genuine quicks [of his era], he would have played twice as much as the other guys. We just thought we had discovered the Shane Warne of fast bowling [when he emerged]. That probably put unrealistic expectations on him, but that was my thinking because he actually bowled in really good areas in those first couple of Tests, and he was lightning.''

Jason Gillespie
"To always come back fitter, hungrier, stronger and bowling the pace that he bowled, I just think is a testament to his character. I don't think the public would appreciate how much pain he bowled in … and he always wanted another over.''

Justin Langer
"There are few better sights in the game of cricket than Brett Lee in white, sweat band pumping, high leap, poetic follow through and then a smile. Test cricket will be poorer without Brett, who apart from his fitness and skill, is one of the most likeable people I have met in the game of cricket."

Merv Hughes
"You look at Shoaib Akhtar and Shaun Tait and certainly Brett Lee was right up there in pace, his longevity at that pace was superb and I really can't believe that people questioned his ability."

Andrew Hilditch, Australia's chairman of selectors
"Brett has made an outstanding contribution to the Australian Test team over a long period and it has been a great pleasure to see him develop as a person and a cricketer over that period. He's been one of the world's quickest bowlers in Test cricket for a long period of time and a key member of Australia's squad during a very successful era in Australian cricket. While Brett has announced his retirement from Test cricket, we will continue to monitor his progress as he returns from injury and will be keeping a close eye on his form in the shorter formats."

James Sutherland, Cricket Australia's chief executive
"Brett's had a fantastic career in Test match cricket for Australia over a long period and I take this opportunity to congratulate him on the way he has represented his country and the outstanding contribution he has made. Brett has played a key role in helping the Australian team be one of the most successful Test teams in history. But it's also the way he went about his cricket, with a readiness to smile and a clear enjoyment of what he was doing, which also helped lift the team's popularity and won the support of fans in Australia and throughout the world."

Australia chase unbeaten summer

Shaun Tait is "very, very quick", Chris Gayle says© Getty Images

The Big Picture

It's three months since West Indies played their first match of this tour and they are about to embark on their last chance to beat Australia. A 2-0 Test loss was followed by a 5-0 one-day defeat and a disappointing effort in the first Twenty20. The shortest format might be their best chance to beat Australia but in truth, there has been precious little in their performances over the past couple of weeks to suggest that they will succeed. The story of the top order has been no Gayle, no hope, and their captain's wild swing to be bowled by Shaun Tait in Hobart continued his lean run in the past month.

For Australia, the lure of an unbeaten season is tantalisingly close. The only matches they have failed to win were the Adelaide Test draw with West Indies and the Sydney one-day wash-out, also against Gayle's men. The Twenty20 outfit looked sharp on Sunday, especially the attack as Tait and Dirk Nannes sped through West Indies' batting line-up. The openers David Warner and Shane Watson also fired but finding a cohesive and in-form middle order could be the challenge between now and the ICC World Twenty20.

Form guide (most recent first)

Australia WWNLL
West Indies LWLWL

Watch out for...

Of all Australia's Twenty20 specialists, David Warner is the ultimate short format man. He has still played only four first-class games but in Twenty20 he is an international veteran and his clever strokeplay gave Australia the early advantage in Hobart. He initially drove several balls over extra cover with clean, classy strokes before launching into some midwicket slogs. He's also playing at his home ground.

There are far bigger stars in the West Indies outfit than Nikita Miller but his performance on Sunday showed how important he can be. Gayle used his spinner to open the bowling and Miller kept things tight with wile and skill and finished with 2 for 20 from four overs. Taking the pace off the ball can be useful against Australia's top order and at the SCG Miller could play a key role.

Team news

Australia must weigh up their reluctance to change a winning team with their desire to test out new players with three matches remaining before the World Twenty20. The allrounder Daniel Christian and the fast man Ryan Harris are the two players in the squad yet to make their Twenty20 debuts and it would make sense to give them a chance. Mitchell Johnson is a known quantity and could rest ahead of the New Zealand series, while Travis Birt's hold on the No. 6 position looks a little shaky after two matches.

Australia (possible) 1 Shane Watson, 2 David Warner, 3 Michael Clarke (capt), 4 David Hussey, 5 Cameron White, 6 Brad Haddin (wk), 7 Daniel Christian, 8 Steven Smith, 9 Ryan Harris, 10 Dirk Nannes, 11 Shaun Tait.

Gavin Tonge and Brendan Nash have been travelling with the squad throughout the limited-overs portion of the tour without being handed an opportunity. Given the team's dismal results there seems no reason not to try them out but adding Tonge might upset the batting balance, while Nash is hardly a slogger and has only ever played one Twenty20 for Jamaica. It could mean an unchanged side.

West Indies (possible) 1 Chris Gayle (capt), 2 Lendl Simmons, 3 Narsingh Deonarine, 4 Kieron Pollard, 5 Wavell Hinds, 6 Dwayne Smith, 7 Runako Morton, 8 Denesh Ramdin (wk), 9 Darren Sammy, 10 Nikita Miller, 11 Kemar Roach.

Pitch and conditions

Expect another good batting surface in Sydney, where the forecast for Tuesday is for 29C but the chance of an evening shower.

Stats and trivia

• There's a distinct pattern to West Indies' recent Twenty20 results: beginning with their Oval victory over Australia their record reads win, loss, win, loss, win, loss, win, loss. They must be due for a win
• In Hobart, Narsingh Deonarine became the 16th man to be dismissed for a golden duck on his Twenty20 international debut
• Michael Clarke has a strong record as Australia's Twenty20 captain - in five games he has led them to four victories and the other match was washed out

  Quotes

  "It's been a good summer for Australian cricket and hopefully we can give the Windies another belting."
  Shaun Tait is in no mood to be charitable

  "You have to make the necessary adjustments but at the same time he is very, very quick."
  Chris Gayle says it isn't easy facing Tait

Brydon Coverdale is a staff writer at Cricinfo

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