Australia wary of Vettori

Australia will be especially wary of Daniel Vettori after his left-arm spin wrecked their chances of posting a huge total in the opening game of the Chappell-Hadlee one-day series. New Zealand went on to win that match after Vettori had induced a mid-innings wobble with three wickets in next to no time.

Speaking on the eve of the second game at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Australian captain Ricky Ponting was quick to identity the main threat to his side. "He's a quality bowler in both forms of the game and he certainly bowled beautifully the other night - he's bowled well right through this tour so far," said Ponting. "He varies his pace well and he turns the ball just enough - that SCG wicket will suit him so it's up to us to make sure we don't give him our wickets.

"If we can get through his 10 overs without being too aggressive and without giving him too many wickets we should score freely off the other guys."

Australia will leave their selection to the last minute, with one eye on the weather forecasts predicting rain. "Bowling spin with a wet ball is very difficult so if it does rain Hoggy [Brad Hogg] may miss out," said Ponting.

He also expected New Zealand to have a punt on Chris Harris, whose dibbly-dobbly medium pace and cutters might have an impact on the slow SCG pitch. "Harris may come in on that wicket," he said. "He's a great fielder and a handy lower order batsman as well but I'm not sure where he'll fit into their side, I think the side they had the other night was pretty well balanced."