We’re inconsistent and timid

Stephen Fleming feels that inconsistency and timidity are the two factors preventing New Zealand from making the final step in major tournaments.

Speaking to reporters, Fleming said, “What we need is more consistent batting performances across the board. That’s why Australia do so well. If someone doesn’t do well, someone else does it.”

“We were out-skilled at the top of the order. To be 35 for 6 and get over 200, you wouldn’t find any other team doing that. We just backed our skills and didn’t give Australia a chance to knock us over.”

He did reserve praise however, for his two frontline seamers, saying “Bond’s copped a bit of slack at home about how he keeps getting injured, but we know how dangerous a player he can be when he gets a run of games together.”

“Kyle has taken wickets for us at the top. It’s one of the reasons we got this far.”

New Zealand’s next international hit-out is a two Test series against Sri Lanka in December back home.