Sick Fleming admits weaknesses

Stephen Fleming believes New Zealand will have to play "out of their skin" to create winning opportunities in the two-Test series against Australia, starting on Thursday. But Steve Waugh believes that the New Zealand team are merely playing down their chances in a bid to outfox the Australian side.

Fleming is recovering from a mystery illness in Wellington and knows his side, who easily disposed of Bangladesh, will have to lift when they meet the world champions. "We're light," Fleming told AAP. "If you stick us up player to player we're well short of matching up, but from a team component, it is something we're pretty strong on." Fleming's health has improved and he is expected to join the New Zealand squad in Sydney by the weekend.

As the country's most capped player, highest runscorer and captain, Fleming's value to the side is immense and his leadership will be tested again without Shane Bond and Darryl Tuffey. The retired Chris Cairns is also missing from the side that drew 0-0 with Australia in 2001-02. "The bottom line is we've just got to play out of our skin to create some opportunities to win," Fleming said.

Waugh, Australia's most successful Test captain, took exception to Fleming's claims that his team were "light", and he said expected a tough series which will be fought out in back-to-back Tests in Brisbane (November 18-22) and Adelaide (November 26-30).

"It's typical New Zealand comments before a Test series, playing down their chances and the underdog stuff," Waugh said. "They love that sort of role. But everyone knows that once they get out there against Australia they will lift, they have done that in the past. I don't believe for a minute that they are under-prepared. They'll be ready for it."