8 Dec 2016

Black Caps hurting but won't show it

7:16 am on 8 December 2016

The Black Caps are hurting following their limp Chappell-Hadlee series loss to Australia, though it's not the only pain firing the side up before Friday's third and final one day cricket international in Melbourne.

The Black Caps all-rounder Jimmy Neesham was struck by a Mitchell Starc bouncer during the second game loss in Canberra but the 26-year-old showed little effect of the blow and stared down Starc as he came down the pitch.

Jimmy Neesham and Kane Williamson during the 2016 Chappell Hadlee series in Australia

Jimmy Neesham eyes up his bruised arm at the end of the over while batting with Williamson Photo: Photosport

Neesham said he had the words of former captain Brendon McCullum ringing in his ears.

"That's something you got taught pretty quickly under Bazza's (Brendon McCullum's) captaincy was not to show much pain when that sort of thing happened so, obviously he's still got a bit of legacy holding on there," he said.

The Black Caps will need that kind of attitude to avoid a 3-0 series sweep in Melbourne on Friday.

Neesham said after the dressing down coach Mike Hesson and captain Kane Williamson gave the team following their losses, they're under no illusions that they need to perform better in the final one dayer.

"Hess and Kane came out and made it pretty clear that they weren't all that happy with the performance and from the bowling side of things I think we started quite well on what turned out to be a pretty flat wicket, but I suppose going for 170-odd in the last 15 overs is not what you want.

"Obviously batting we gave ourselves a little bit of a chance with a decent platform but then fell off there as well, so there's plenty of things to work on."

The match is set to get underway at the Melbourne Cricket Ground at 4.20pm (NZ time).

- RNZ