Vettori: Consistency the key

Vettori: Keeping the faith in current squad

We've always produced quality bowlers, but we've had Martin Crowe, who averages 45 with 17 Test hundreds, and then there's a pretty big gap between him and everyone else

Daniel Vettori
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Australia v New Zealand

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After seeing his side slip to defeat in Brisbane, New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has demanded more consistency from his team in Test cricket.

The Black Caps were bowled out for 177 on the fourth morning to lose the first Test against their trans-Tasman rivals by 149 runs.

However, they will reflect on a missed opportunity having bowled out the hosts on day one for just 214, only to be shot out themselves for 156.

While stressing he still has faith in the current group of players despite the loss, Vettori admitted they must learn quickly - particularly the batsmen.

Extremely talented

"I still look at the guys and think they're extremely talented, but we've got to turn that talent into a consistent performance and unfortunately we're just not quite getting that," Vettori said.

"I do have a lot of faith in them, I see the talent in them and I think they're very good players, so I'll back them and we can keep improving, we've just got to accelerate that improvement.

"It's been a problem well before I was captain, a lot of guys have looked through it and tried to find ways of redeeming it.

"If you look at this history of our batting, there's only ever been a few guys average over 40, so it's not something that we're accustomed to, but we're striving for it.

"We've always produced quality bowlers, but we've had Martin Crowe, who averages 45 with 17 Test hundreds, and then there's a pretty big gap between him and everyone else."

A lack of experience in the batting order does not help the Kiwis' cause with Aaron Redmond, Jesse Ryder, Daniel Flynn, and Grant Elliott having played a combined total of just 18 Tests.

Inexperienced

"We've got a raw group of guys who are learning their trade, they're going to very good players, but we've just got to get that time in to them," Vettori added.

"Once they've hopefully played those 20 Test matches in those positions, (they) can average 40, can be very good players, but at the moment we're trying to work with some real young, inexperienced guys."

New Zealand have sent home Kyle Mills after deciding to leave him out of their squad for the second Test, which starts on Friday.

The seamer was a surprise omission at The Gabba and after being overlooked again for Adelaide, will go back to play at domestic level.

In Mills' place comes spinner Jeetan Patel. Batsman Peter Fulton will remain with the squad having been called up as cover when there were concerns over the fitness of Ryder.

New Zealand squad for second Test:
Daniel Vettori (capt), Grant Elliott, Daniel Flynn, Peter Fulton, Mark Gillespie, Gareth Hopkins, Jamie How, Chris Martin, Brendon McCullum, Iain O'Brien, Jeetan Patel, Aaron Redmond, Jesse Ryder, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor.