Ex-keeper Parore says Kiwis need to be at peak to trouble Australians

AUCKLAND - Former New Zealand wicketkeeper Adam Parore has said that the Black Caps will have to be at their peak in terms of fitness and performance to challenge the Australians during a two-Test tour beginning next week.

In an article for the New Zealand Herald, Parore said: “I don’t think what we’ve seen against Bangladesh provides any clues to how the Black Caps will go. Bangladesh may have played better than some thought they would, and Daniel Vettori might be disappointed his side wasn’t more ruthless.”

“What we saw reflects that New Zealand had a decent chunk of their bowling attack removed with the departure of Shane Bond and Iain O’Brien. We certainly lacked penetration. Australia will play the game in a completely different way and at a different level,” he adds.

“Australia will bowl at a different length for a start, and our batsmen will have to get their feet moving well,” he said.

On skipper Vettori, Parore said: “He keeps gathering more responsibility and I’m sure they will stick with him at No 6 in the batting order. He seems to thrive the more he is expected to do. The load will be pushed on him until it reaches a point when it doesn’t work any more.”

“As usual, the heat will be on the top-order batting, our traditional weakness. Without Bond and O’Brien, though, New Zealand will struggle to dismiss Australia twice,” he concludes. (ANI)