Greatbatch demands batting improvement

The coach Mark Greatbatch has called on New Zealand's batsmen to be more consistent and ruthless so they can challenge Australia. Greatbatch doesn't think his side has gone backwards during the Chappell-Hadlee Series defeat, but he wants more runs from his order starting with the final ODI in Wellington on Saturday.

"Hopefully you see fight in the players across the board," he said. "Yes, our batting is not consistent enough and needs to be more ruthless. When guys get in they need to finish the job, and they know that."

Australia have registered one hundred and seven half-centuries during the first four games while the hosts have managed four fifties, including two to Ross Taylor. "It's pretty tough to win a series with numbers like that," Greatbatch said. "There's definitely some improvement needed."

Greatbatch said the issue had been spoken about and it was up to the players to make the changes. "The individual needs to take personal responsibility to be better," he said. "Whoever it is, if he's on 50 he needs to get 80 or 100. If it's the fifth bowler, he goes for 40 instead of 60."

Nathan Hauritz, the offspinner, said Australia would be chasing another victory to finish off the limited-overs leg of the tour. "We've copped a fair bit of stick since we have been out here," he said, "so the boys would be pretty keen to wrap it up 4-1."