Bollinger chases change of fortune

Doug Bollinger is confident he can bounce back from a poor one-day series to play a key role in Australia's five-day attack when the first Test starts in Wellington on Friday. Bollinger had the first real lean patch of his international career when he managed only four wickets at 57.75 in the ODI series against New Zealand.

It followed an outstanding home summer in Test and one-day cricket as Bollinger went from fringe player at the start of the season to a first-choice bowler in both formats. He will grab the new ball at the Basin Reserve against an inexperienced New Zealand top order and Bollinger is keen to take on extra seniority in a pace attack likely to feature either the uncapped Ryan Harris or Clint McKay, who has played one Test.

"It was not the best one-day series but you can't get four-for every game," Bollinger said in Wellington on Monday. "I don't think I've done it to the best of my ability this series but that's the way it goes and I'm sure I'll be back. Hopefully I'll do well in the Test matches.

"There's not much I can do about the one-dayers. That's the game. That's why we love it and that's why we hate it. I'm happy to take that [extra responsibility] on. It's something that I've wanted to do for so long so it'd be great to do."

The Australians are considering the balance of their side, with the legspinning allrounder Steven Smith considered a realistic chance to make his Test debut. If Smith is included the selectors must decide whose place he will take, with the out-of-form No. 6 Marcus North potentially vulnerable.