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Black Caps skipper/coach Daniel Vettori - Source: Photosport -
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Captain Daniel Vettori is demanding his New Zealand cricket batsmen take ownership for their performances in Auckland on Thursday to stop the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy slipping back across the Tasman.
Vettori said his side were 40-50 runs short of a competitive total as they posted 245 before losing game three by six wickets at Seddon Park tonight. It left the Brad Haddin-inspired Australia 2-1 up with two matches remaining.
"It's just about taking ownership of your innings, even 50s and 60s aren't good enough against Australia, you need guys to kick on and those big partnerships. You can't consistently lose wickets," he said.
"But you have to balance that up with the need to be aggressive and put big totals on the board. The responsibility goes on the individual to make sure they get the job done."
The returning Ross Taylor topscored with 62 in New Zealand's total as they were dismissed in the 47th over.
Vettori was confident Daryl Tuffey (calf) would return in Auckland and while James Franklin (hamstring) was "dicey", the captain hoped his allrounder could also take the field to add more bowling strength.
Paceman Shane Bond was said to be okay after taking a nasty blow to the left hand.
"We need everyone to turn up and make sure that performance that we haven't quite put together is there in Auckland because if it isn't then the series is lost."
Vettori would look at all the selection options, with Scott Styris (41) an potential option to move up a spot to No 5.
Australian captain Ricky Ponting (69), who added 151 with Haddin (110) was delighted and confident of carrying the momentum onto Eden Park.
"It was excellent, what we've been talking about for the last two games, what we've been asking our top order to deliver. I know that if someone in our top order gets 80-100 then we're going to get well over 300 with the nature of these grounds over here. We were on target to do that," Ponting said.
"Luckily we were chasing 245, the bowlers did a great job. This has been the commanding performance we've been after."
