NZ coach urges batsmen to be uncomfortable
The review of New Zealand's disastrous Australian tour has already begun, with the Black Caps' fragile batting in need of serious attention.
Apart from makeshift opener Tom Blundell's courageous knock at the MCG on Sunday, the Kiwis have struggled to bat for long periods against Australia's fearsome fast bowling.
Even captain Kane Williamson, one of the world's premier batsmen, has buckled under pace pressure.
To have any chance of avoiding a 3-0 whitewash in Sydney, Black Caps coach Gary Stead says his batsmen need to tough it out against more lethal spells of bowling.
"We try hard to work with the guys to say 'how can we develop you'. We've worked hard with the tail as well about how we try and eek out more runs," Stead said.
"But unless you're doing that day in, day out, change is quite difficult to see in a short period.
"But it's our challenge (as coaches) to try and find those ways to have the players getting comfortable with being uncomfortable because that's what Australia do to us all the time."
Australia's paceman took all 10 first-innings wickets during the Boxing Day Test, with Pat Cummins and James Pattinson consistently bowling with speed and accuracy.
Offspinner Nathan Lyon came into the match during the second innings with 4-81 and should be more of a threat at the traditionally spin-friendly SCG.
Injured Australian quick Josh Hazlewood is likely to be fit after missing the MCG match but AAP understands the 28-year-old won't be risked for the final Test of the summer.
That means the Kiwis will go again face up to Cummins, Pattinson and Mitchell Starc, with suggestions uncapped legspinner Mitchell Swepson could also bowl in tandem with Lyon.
