India left scars, but the only team in the world that can claim to have some kind of psychological hold over Australia at the moment are New Zealand. The two sides meet in Sydney on Thursday (2.30pm local time, 3.30am GMT) for the fourth game in the VB Series, and New Zealand are looking to build on a 0-0 draw in the Tests that felt more like a win, and a one-day win in Melbourne on Friday that felt more like a World Cup. And, for the first time in 19 years, they have the chance to make it three successive one-day wins over Australia. You wouldn't have thought it after the 3-0 Test thrashing of South Africa, but Australia - played two, lost two - are suddenly desperate. You know this because, in the absence of Adam Gilchrist, who is at home with his poorly baby, Harrison, they have reinstated Shane Warne as vice-captain ahead of Ricky Ponting. Not that this is a bad move; on the contrary. But it reflects Steve Waugh's desire to do something - anything - to halt their mini-slump: not since January 1999 have they lost two consecutive home one-dayers; not since April 1998 have they lost three.

The good news for Australia is that Glenn McGrath returns from his one-match suspension for screaming "No!" after he had been given out caught behind off Daniel Vettori at Melbourne, and then stomping off as if he had just been hit for 36 in an over. The new ball will then be fought over by Jason Gillespie (10-3-28-2 v South Africa on Sunday) and Brett Lee, who bowled beautifully with it in the recent Test series.

Ryan Campbell comes in for Gilchrist to make his international debut, a case of one rollicking Western Australian wicketkeeper-batsman replacing another: Campbell smacked 46 in 49 balls as an opener for Australia A against New Zealand last week, and followed that two days later with a perky 20* in 16 balls against South Africa. But no Gilchrist means Australia's fourth different opening pairing in their last four internationals: Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden in the Sydney Test against South Africa; it was Gilchrist and Mark Waugh, the normal one-day openers, for the first VB game against New Zealand; then Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden against South Africa; and now, probably, Waugh and Hayden. It's as close as they get to disarray.

New Zealand are likely to recall their bowling allrounder Dion Nash after a groin strain kept him out of the first two matches; the left-arm seamer James Franklin (13-0-69-1 in the tournament so far) could miss out.

Now they just have to banish thoughts of a controversial but crucial moment during their 26-run defeat by South Africa at Hobart on Tuesday. Mark Boucher was caught and bowled by Chris Cairns off the toe-end of the bat, but umpire Harper ruled it a bump-ball. Boucher went on to mow 22 runs off his next seven balls, put South Africa's faltering innings back on track, and tilt the balance of the match. Privately, New Zealand are fuming. If they can just channel that aggression properly, the red faces could be all Australian by the close of play tomorrow.

Teams
Australia (from) Matthew Hayden, Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Bevan, Steve Waugh (capt), Damien Martyn, Ryan Campbell (wk), Ian Harvey, Andrew Symonds, Brett Lee, Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie, Brad Williams, Glenn McGrath.

New Zealand (from) Lou Vincent, Mark Richardson, Stephen Fleming (capt), Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Scott Styris, Andre Adams, Chris Harris, Adam Parore (wk), Dion Nash, Daniel Vettori, James Franklin, Shane Bond, Brendon McCullum.

Lawrence Booth is assistant editor of Wisden.com.

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