Kiwis have a country picnic

Despite the presence of an opposition fast bowler called Ambrose, New Zealand continued on its merry one-day way today with a 249-run flogging of an Australian Country XI at Bradman Oval.

Ambrose - Brett from Toowoomba, not Curtly from Antigua - was one of six Country XI bowlers smashed to all parts of the picturesque ground, and occasionally down nearby streets, as the Kiwis racked up a mammoth total of 6-392 from 50 overs.

In reply, the Country XI was bundled out for 143 in just 40 overs, sending the Kiwis - whose leading limited overs batsman Nathan Astle was due to join the touring party later tonight - into Saturday's tri-series battle against resurgent Australia in the highest of spirits.

"We're pretty confident, we're playing well," said NZ captain Stephen Fleming.

"You guys are funny, really - you write your team off so quickly, and they come back and they're world beaters.

"There's no middle ground with you.

"We're just going to keep chugging away, doing the things we've been doing.

"Australia winning two straight certainly has no impact whatsoever come the weekend."

The Kiwis are sitting pretty atop the tri-series ladder but face three matches in four days from Saturday, a task described by Fleming as "bloody tough."

They played with the highest degree of confidence and cheekiness today against moderate opposition.

Part-time off-spinner Mark Richardson imitated Brett Lee's trademark jump and punch of the air after taking his first wicket.

He got down on one knee and shook his first a la Shane Warne upon taking his second.

Lou Vincent snuck into the Country XI team photo without any of the locals noticing, and the team's video analyst was given a few overs in the field.

In between, livewire opener Brendon McCullum (96), Fleming (76), allrounder Dion Nash (72no) and temporary No.6 Vincent (49) blasted away at better than a run a ball. The fielding was sharp and young fast bowlers Shane Bond (2-15) and James Franklin (1-17) were way too lively for the Country XI batsmen.

Fleming described the arrival of Astle, who proved his recovery from a broken thumb by reaching three figures for Canterbury in the NZ domestic competition this week, as a major boost for a team that so far has looked vulnerable against the new ball.

"It's vital," said Fleming.

"He's our best one-day batsman and he's in form coming over here. He offers us aggression at the top of the order and plenty with the ball as well. He's a fine one-day player and we're delighted to have him back."

Australia and New Zealand are firming as likely tri-series finalists but Fleming would not be drawn on South Africa's slump, highlighted by a hiding from Australia at the SCG last night.

"I can't comment on them ... why comment on the other teams?" said Fleming.

"It's so fickle. All we can focus on - a bit of a cliche - is what we need to do to create pressure. If you put a team under pressure for the majority of a game, you win."