Top order seeks out psychologist

Australia have subjected New Zealand's batsmen to so much mental pressure that some of them used a day off to see the team's psychologist. Several of the top order, including the dropped Mathew Sinclair, asked Gilbert Enoka for tips yesterday after they struggled in the opening two losses against the world champions.

John Bracewell said the failures of the batsmen in the 10- and 106-run defeats were due to understandable psychological issues. "At this level the tension quickly escalates, and because of that errors can creep into your game," he told the New Zealand Herald. "It's quite understandable. The problem is that it can develop into something of a vicious circle, in that as form drops away, so do the confidence levels, leaving room for self-doubt and more anxiety."

Bracewell said the Australians had got to Sinclair, who was subsequently cut for the third and fourth matches of the five-game series. "It got to the point where his body language and lack of footwork were telling us a pretty clear story about his state of mind," he said. "Mathew probably won't agree, but I think the Australians got in his head a bit and caused some self-doubt."

New Zealand called up Andre Adams and Michael Papps yesterday, and must win the remaining three matches to claim the series. Game three begins at Eden Park on Saturday.