The pressure is on Australia, says Fleming

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said on Thursday the pressure was on his Australia counterpart Steve Waugh in the series-deciding third cricket Test which starts in Perth on Friday.

"We're under pressure as well because we would love to win this series," Fleming said.

"Realistically, we still have less pressure on us than Australia.

"Steve Waugh will refute that in his interviews, as he does, but that's the bottom line."

Waugh said world champions Australia had outplayed New Zealand in the first two matches of the three-Test series, which have both ended in draws after rain interruptions.

"There's always pressure associated with being ranked the number one side in the world but that's why you want to be the number one side, so you have pressure on you and it keeps you sharp," the Australia captain said.

"If we've got pressure, that's good. New Zealand, I'm sure they've got pressure on them as well.

"We've got to go out and play well over the next five days."

Fleming said the bouncy Perth wicket was different to most Test grounds but in the end, it would be a mental hurdle for his team to overcome.

Waugh, 36, a veteran of 141 Tests and 27 Test hundreds, thrives on the physical battle and said there would be no escape for New Zealand's batsmen with the series on the line.

"If you can't stand up to that sort of physical stuff, they will certainly be found wanting in a Test match," Waugh said.

"I think it really Tests the courage element out in Perth, it's bouncy, quick and there's going to be a lot more balls at the body."

TWO CHANGES

New Zealand have made two changes, dropping opening batsman Matthew Bell for debutant Lou Vincent and replacing injured seamer Daryl Tuffey with Chris Martin.

Australia boast an unchanged lineup for the series but Waugh admits his middle order, including himself, is out of form.

Mark Waugh (0 and 12), Steve Waugh (3 and 0) and Damien Martyn (4 and 0) had suffered from poor shot selection and had no excuses, the captain said.

"We hope we can rectify that sooner rather than later," Waugh said.

Waugh said his team had been looking forward to the coming three-Test series at home and away against South Africa, but that had not affected their preparations for the third Test against the Kiwis.

Australia have not lost a series at home since Allan Border's side went down 2-1 to West Indies in 1992-93.

New Zealand have not beaten Australia in a series in Australia for 16 years but Fleming said he was confident all-rounder Chris Cairns, among others, was capable of turning the series.

WINNING METHODS

He said Mark Butcher's 173 not out in the fourth Ashes Test in August and Vangipurappu Laxman's 281 in the second Test in India in March were examples of how Australia could be beaten.

"We've seen Australia been beaten twice recently by two guys who played out of their skin, Mark Butcher and Laxman in India," Fleming said.

"I think in the New Zealand side there are some areas which we can't match it with the Australians but I do think there's a match-winner amongst us, maybe two.

"When it comes down to one game, the beauty of it is, it could be this game. We're extremely excited."

Australia's pace attack of Glenn McGrath, who has taken only three wickets in the first two Tests, Brett Lee and Jason Gillespie were combining nicely and would give the Kiwis plenty of problems, Waugh said.

Teams:

Australia - Steve Waugh (captain), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Brett Lee, Shane Warne, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.

New Zealand - Stephen Fleming (captain), Mark Richardson, Lou Vincent, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Chris Martin, Shane Bond.

Mail Cricket Editor