Cricket: Batsmen work overtime as Crowe weaves magic

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

As a southerly blast tore through the Basin Reserve today - leaving ground staff almost airborne as they clung to the covers - New Zealand's batsmen were working overtime under the gaze of coach Mark Greatbatch and technical adviser Martin Crowe in expectation of an Australian pace barrage in Friday's first test.

The hosts can kiss the first test goodbye if they don't rack up a decent first innings total and the microscope is on the top-three of Tim McIntosh, BJ Watling and Peter Ingram, with Taylor, Martin Guptill and captain Daniel Vettori to follow.

Greatbatch has been true to his word of making his team train longer and smarter this week, and with batting guru Crowe a notable presence, Taylor hopes the proof will be in their performance as they start massive underdogs against captain Ricky Ponting's tourists.

"We're trying to bat as long as we can, simulate as much of a game condition as we can like breaks and sessions (at open wicket practice)," Taylor said.

"Quite often you can bat very well for a session then you come out and lose a wicket straight afterwards. We've been training a lot longer than what we used to - three-and-a-half to four hours - and if you want to get a test hundred you've got to bat over four hours to do that."

Former New Zealand captain Crowe's key message has been about forward momentum against the likes of left-arm quicks Doug Bollinger and Mitchell Johnson who should get bouncy pitch conditions to their liking.

"It's about getting forward and not getting pushed back. In the past Australia have come at us hard and bowled a lot of short deliveries and put pressure on us that way. Martin's been good for me, and I think the other guys have taken a lot from him as well."

Much like Crowe in his heyday, Taylor will carry much of New Zealand's hopes.

The New Zealand vice-captain averaged 54.56 from nine tests in the past 12 months, and in his only four test innings against Australia scored 40, 75, 44 and one in Brisbane and Adelaide in 2008.

Despite averaging 44.25 in the 2-3 one-day series defeat - second only to Scott Styris in the New Zealand ranks - Taylor was caught from loose shots in all four of his dismissals.

"At test match level there's no time constraints, unless you're chasing a score. I played some howlers of shots and was disappointed with how I went out. I'm just going to go out there and play straight and play my game.

"They are the No 1 team in the world and it's a good gauge of where you are as a player. I've scored a one-day hundred against them, I'd love to put a test match hundred to that."

Morning rain forced Australia to train indoors at Westpac Stadium before the weather cleared to enable New Zealand to complete a full session outdoors.

All the focus was on vice-captain Michael Clarke who was mobbed by a 29-strong media contingent in his first public statement since his much-publicised return to Australia and breakup with model Lara Bingle.

Clarke, who scored 22 and 11 in the first two ODIs, said he felt ready to return after his personal dramas. New Zealand would be tough opponents in their home conditions, he said.

"I still think they've got plenty of talent with bat and ball. Conditions will play a part, especially if there's a bit of rain around. Their opening bowlers can swing the ball and that's been one area of our game we've had to work very hard on as a batting unit."