Kiwis need to improve to compete with Australia: Vettori

AUCKLAND - Captain Daniel Vettori has said New Zealand need to improve to compete with Australia on an equal footing.

“I couldn’t put a number on it. We have to improve dramatically to try and compete and win,” the New Zealand Herald quoted Vettori, as saying.

Bangladesh coach and former Australian batsman Jamie Siddons had an ominous warning ahead of the trans-Tasman clash, which starts on Friday.

“There’s a few concerns. They’re a bit like us, the top four or five are a little vulnerable against good bowling. It’s going to be a really tough series for New Zealand,” he said.

Vettori hopes some of the players will get first-class action when the Plunket Shield resumes before the two tests against Australia next month.

“Australia have some very good batsmen and that consistency is going to be a key for us to succeed,” he said. (ANI)