Mark Greatbatch

New Zealand's last recognised batsmen, Brendon McCullum and Martin Guptill, face an epic rescue act tomorrow with their side sliding towards a heavy second cricket test defeat against Australia at Hamilton.

For Mathew Sinclair, his past triumphs and struggles in and out of New Zealand's cricket team are fish and chip wrapping.

If New Zealand's cricketers are accused of anything this week it won't be poor preparation, says batting kingpin Ross Taylor.

Coach Mark Greatbatch is preaching a street-smart approach from his New Zealand batsmen but hopes they don't temper their aggression in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy cricket series dead rubber against Australia here tomorrow.