Cameron strikes white-hot form

Cameron White's re-entry into the Australia team has been so strong that he has out-hit Andrew Symonds in their past two partnerships. After muscling four sixes in the Twenty20 win over England, White blasted another three against New Zealand in Hobart on Sunday as Symonds played the support role with an almost run-a-ball 69.

White's 45 from 32 deliveries helped take the game away from New Zealand during a 90-run partnership with Symonds in nine overs. Symonds has been impressed with White's power since he came back into the national set-up and said it meant he did not feel pressure to force the pace. "When you've got that going on at the other end, it makes it a lot easier for me," Symonds told AAP. "I'm happy to give him the strike ... he was the ideal man for the job.''

In a striking assessment Symonds agreed there was probably not a cleaner hitter in Australia than White. "You'd have to say so after that Twenty20 effort the other night and today," Symonds said. "It's not like he's just clearing the rope. There's absolutely no doubt when he hits it in the middle, it's maximum."

White's bowling was not as productive as his blasting, which included consecutive sixes off Daniel Vettori and another from Shane Bond that landed on a grandstand roof. His first two overs went for 18 as he was targeted by Ross Taylor, but he returned to take the final wicket of Jeetan Patel and secure the 105-run win. He also gave up 27 runs in three overs during the victory over England on Friday.

However, the performances have not been a concern for Ricky Ponting. "I just see him as someone, if we can, to give him some overs, give him some experience and exposure, give him some confidence," he said. "I can see him as a good wicket-taking option for us. He's just going to get better and better with more experience."