Australian captain Steve Waugh's comments that New Zealand was playing negative cricket, along with several other Test-playing countries, were "a bit rich" according to New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming.

Fleming said: "I think it's very easy when things are going well to sit back and start commenting on other Test matches.

"It's very easy when you've won 14 or 15 in a row and you have lot of resources that are working really well and to start commenting on other games.

"He has to keep in mind the conditions we play in, and our situation, and I think it's a little bit rich to be commenting on a Test match from afar.

"He should just continue to concentrate on what he is doing well and enjoying his success instead of worrying about everyone else," he said.

In the meantime Fleming has the job of getting the New Zealand team back on track before tomorrow's day-night National Bank series decider against Zimbabwe at Wellington's WestpacTrust Stadium.

Fleming said you could never be confident in a one-day game. The best thing you could do was prepare and control everything that lay before you.

"We've got a big challenge on our hands. It's proving to be testing times with injuries, and little things, peripheral things, so it's a good challenge for the side and The Management.

"We have to deal with things in a constructive way and that is what we have to do with this game to set up the last game."

The last match is in Auckland on Sunday.

Fleming said he was aware that New Zealand has now lost six games in a row.

"It's a very poor stat but keep in mind that we were up against a very good South African side when we were under-strength. You do have to keep that in mind but we are very well aware of being six in a row.

"All we can do is keep re-emphasising where we need to bowl and come game time hope they [his new young bowlers] learn from their last experience."

One aspect of Tuesday's loss to concern him and The Management was Chris Harris' lack of form. He was subject to close attention by the Zimbabweans and bowled only five overs for 40 runs.

"He would be the first to admit he didn't do the job," Fleming said. "He had success at the stadium the last time we played and he's got to have confident thoughts about that. At times like this you have to call on your experienced players. So it is very important for him to do the job tomorrow," he said.

© CricInfo