New Zealand's captain Daniel Vettori says building partnerships will be the answer to New Zealand's recent batting woes as they enter the Champions Trophy tournament in South Africa.
The Black Caps' batting failed miserably in a triangular one-day series involving Sri Lanka and India earlier this month, being bowled out for 119 and 115 in their two games.
They were also dismissed for 173 by Sri Lanka A in a one-day warm-up match before the triangular series.
Vettori says lack of consistency is a worry and there may be a lack of competition for places.
But he says the batsmen all have pretty good stats with Grant Elliott and Martin Guptill averaging nearly 50, and Jesse Ryder, Ross Taylor and Brendon McCullum have had great seasons in the past.
Vettori says the pressure will be on the top-order to build partnerships if his team is to succeed.
New Zealand are in Group B and will open their campaign against hosts South Africa in Centurion on Thursday.
