Buchanan points to tired batsmen

Australia's jaded batsmen have been responsible for the side's recent one-day run stutters, according to the coach John Buchanan. Buchanan expects to downscale training sessions in a bid to give the players' back their spark as they begin the five-match limited-overs series against New Zealand at Wellington tomorrow.

"There's a sense of all players being a bit jaded and obviously that can affect their mental application and that possibly is a contributing factor with the decision-making of their batting," Buchanan said. "As a batting group we've been making poor decisions at certain times through the course of one-day cricket. Individuals will know that and collectively as a team we can discuss that, but at a more appropriate time."

Australia comfortably won the VB Series despite only Michael Clarke and Damien Martyn averaging more than 30 as the bowlers stood tall. Mike Hussey and James Hopes are the two fresh faces in the squad, which has contested the Champions Trophy and series against India, New Zealand, Pakistan and West Indies since August. Buchanan said the key to the one-day series was "to play well from the outset".