Black Caps promise improvement

A below-par Black Caps outfit is vowing to produce a much improved performance, in all facets of the game, come tomorrows crucial clash with South Africa at Bay Oval.

In their first proper outing since February, the Blackcaps – aside from a blazing 99 from wicketkeeper Luke Ronchi – meekly rolled over with a six wicket loss to the Proteas, ranked second in the world.

Blackcaps pace bowler Tim Southee at Bay Oval. Video: Ross Brown.

And pressure will continue to mount on the batsmen with Tauranga's Kane Williamson now ruled out of the rest of the series with wrist injury, joining number four batsman Ross Taylor on the sidelines.

In an added boost, pace bowler Tim Southee is over a shoulder niggle that ruled him out of Tuesday's opening match.

His inclusion could see him team up with Trent Boult to spearhead the Black Caps attack, with Boult the shining light alongside Ronchi with the bat as the pair making a record 74 for the 10th wicket.

Putting himself through some rigorous net sessions in the past week, Southee has declared himself raring to go in what needs to be an attacking mindset from the home team.

Southee says it has been a few months since the side played together, which may have caused the rusty performance on Tuesday, but he's confident the side will make amends.

Tim said: 'We have standards we obviously showed last summer and that's sort of the line in the sand. And we sort of slipped below that in the first game and hopefully we can show that tomorrow.

'I think we will be better for the conditions. I think we will know what the wicket is like, as we entered a bit of the unknown batting first.

'I think they [Black Cap teammates] will be better for the hit out. We are missing players but it is a chance for other guys to step up and show what they are made of and I think you will see a better side out there tomorrow.”

Posting 230 all out from 45.1 overs, Tuesday's score was never in doubt for the Proteas and the Black Caps will need to be on their game from the outset if they are to level the series ahead of the final match in Hamilton on Monday.

If South Africa sweeps the series, which continues with matches on Friday and Monday, it will take over the top ODI ranking from Australia.

'With their batting line-up the key is to keep taking wickets,” says Southee.

The first ball will be bowed at 10.30am tomorrow at Bay Oval.

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