Cricket: NZ selectors ponder changes after batting woes

As the New Zealand cricket selectors ponder two ordinary batting collapses, their faith will be sorely tested as they pick a squad for the second test in Hamilton this week.

Senior men Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum were set to resume on day four of the first test at a near-hopeless 187 for five in their second innings, still 115 short of making a dominant Australia bat again.

With the likelihood of heading to Hamilton for Saturday's second test 0-1 down, changes must be considered.

No 3 Peter Ingram's spot will be under the microscope along with the balance of the side, with just five specialist batsmen, Vettori at No 6 and five specialist bowlers.

Ingram made a positive start in the first innings before he was run out by a Tim McIntosh blunder for five, then yesterday on one was beaten by Doug Bollinger's pace and bounce which also accounted for BJ Watling, Ross Taylor and Martin Guptill.

Bollinger took a test best five for 28 in the first innings as New Zealand folded for 157, and added Watling and Ingram's scalps in the second.

Loyalty played a big part in first test selections but Ingram must be under serious heat from Central Districts teammate Mathew Sinclair who was significantly called into the squad for Wellington as cover.

Otherwise Ingram could remain at No 3 and a batsman selected at No 6, either Sinclair or rising Northern Districts star Kane Williamson who could also chip in with some useful offspin.

Spinner Jeetan Patel could loom into contention if Hamilton looked spin-friendly, but he was struggling for form in domestic cricket of late.

With batting their biggest concern, six specialists would appear a necessity but that would mean dropping a bowler; a tough call between Tim Southee, Daryl Tuffey and Brent Arnel who did enough on debut to warrant retention.

Either way, widespread changes are unlikely as coach Mark Greatbatch no doubt demands some serious reflection from his troops.

"We haven't judged line that well in this game. We know they (Australian bowlers) hit the deck hard and a lot of the balls aren't actually hitting the stumps," Greatbatch said.

"It's a matter of judging that line well so you soak up that pressure. They've bowled very good areas for long periods and we haven't been able to be positive enough to break those shackles."

One batsman who stood up after a scratchy first innings was McIntosh who dug in for 272 minutes and 220 deliveries for 83 yesterday. He was dismissed by a Nathan Hauritz turner just three overs before stumps.

"He's that kind of player, he focuses well, he watches each ball and relaxes in between. It'd be nice for him to keep going.

"But he batted nearly five hours and if two or three guys were doing that we'd still be well in the test match. It was great focus, he learns quick and he's battled hard against a bloody good attack."