Australia to show no mercy

New Zealand has to regroup after the first Test in Christchurch, where they suffered a nine-wicket drubbing after collapsing for 131 in the second innings.

Batsman Nathan Astle, one of the better performed Kiwis with 74 and 21 in Christchurch, says the side has to forget its opponents, widely regarded one of the best Test sides in history.

“It doesn’t matter who the opponent is, it’s only really you versus the red ball and that’s it. That for me is the biggest thing that we can all change,” Astle said.

Opening Australian bowler Glenn McGrath, who changed the course of the first Test with a six-wicket haul in New Zealand’s first innings which saw the Kiwis slump from 330-3 to be all out for 433, will be eager to remind New Zealand who they are up against.

Lee in high demand

: The manager of Australian fast bowler Brett Lee said today he had received offers to play for Worcestershire, Surrey, Leicestershire and Middlesex in English county cricket. But Neil Maxwell, who fielded a renewed appeal from one of the counties today, said any Lee stint overseas would “most definitely” have to be made with the approval of Cricket Australia (CA).

Australian cricket’s governing body has opposed the move because it wants players to be fresh before the Ashes series against England this summer.