New Zealand have been making use of Australian know-how in an effort to beef up their working knowledge of bowling during the Test series, and they are lining up even more contact before the vital third Test in Perth.

The New Zealand Herald: "New Zealand have sent an SOS to Australian fast-bowling legend Dennis Lillee in an effort to address growing concerns over their pace attack.

"Undoubtedly the worst aspect of their performance in the washed-out second test against Australia, the tourists' pace bowling was also an eye-sore in the warm-up match at Adelaide, and has been afforded critical-care status as they approach the third test in Perth."

Lillee, rated the world's best fast-bowler during the early and mid-1970s, provides regular coaching for pacemen from his Western Australian base, and has already provided assistance for opening bowler Chris Cairns - albeit by telephone and video.

"'The bowling needs a massive overhaul, there's no rocket science needed to see that,' captain Stephen Fleming said after the test was abandoned midway through the final day - rain again tormenting ground staff at Bellerive Oval.

"'You start with your most experienced player, and I know Chris [Cairns] has been working hard to improve his bowling, but the release of all our bowlers has been a problem - as illustrated on television's Channel Nine network.'"

The Sydney Morning Herald: "Relieved after being outplayed in two Tests only to be reprieved by rain, New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming insists his band of underdogs can still grasp their chance to inflict a rare home series loss on Australia.

"Australia have not fallen in a series at home since their 2-1 defeat to the West Indies in 1992-93 and, since drawing 1-1 with South Africa a year later, have won their past 10.

"But despite the one-sided nature of the cricket permitted in Brisbane and Hobart, Fleming believes there is a very real chance for his team to conjure a 1-0 win through success in the last Test in Perth from Friday.

"'The outcome of what's happened in these two Tests is very exciting for us now,' said Fleming, seeking his team's fourth series win out of nine.

"'We go into the third Test with a chance to win the series. The way we've done it is not convincing and that does not give you immense satisfaction. We're not there by the quality of our play, we're there through other interferences, and we'd like to finish this tour playing better cricket.

"'There are parts of the puzzle which are going okay. That is positive and it's good for confidence. If we can get some other pieces, then who knows?'"

The Daily Telegraph: "Australia has produced a Jekyll and Hyde batting performance in the series with openers Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden in exceptional form, Ricky Ponting striking a century in Hobart and the Waugh twins [Mark and Steve] and Damien Martyn failing twice.

"'It's never complacency,' Waugh said of middle order collapses of 6-39 in Brisbane and 5-43 in Hobart.

"'It is probably more so the atmosphere. There has not been big crowds in the first two Tests.

"'We have just come from England where every day was sold out and there was such a hype about Australia-England Test matches.

"'It is not quite the same atmosphere so perhaps when you are sitting around watching the openers put on 200 you are not quite at your best when you get out in the middle. It is something we talked about but we didn't really rectify it.'"

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