9 Dec 2009

New Zealand batsmen work on plan to combat Pakistani attack

5:55 pm on 9 December 2009

Devising a plan to combat Pakistani pace bowler Muhammed Asif is a priority for the New Zealand batsmen heading into the series deciding third test in Napier starting on Friday.

In a man of the match performance in the second test in Wellington Asif took nine wickets as Pakistan levelled the series at one all.

He's taken 17 wickets in the series so far with New Zealand's top order struggling with his line and length.

The Northern Districts newcomer B.J. Wattling, who's replaced Canterbury's Peter Fulton and is set to make his test debut has some experience against the Pakistan attack having played against them in a couple of Twenty-20 matches in the UAE.

Watling says they need to be positive in their approach, whether that be in defence or attack and if Asif bowls a bad delivery they need to make sure they put it away.