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Slater looking to end poor run

Michael Slater believes he can end his furstrating run for Australia in Wellington on Friday as they chase a record-breaking win against New Zealand.

If Australia win the second Test to clinch the series, they also eclipse the national record of eight straight Test wins.

And captain Steve Waugh has called on the batsmen to deliver.

The bowlers dragged Australia to a 62-run win in the first Test in Auckland last week after the batsmen failed to adjust to a turning wicket in their first hit-out since breaking a stack of records during the one-day season.

"I don't think we played Test match cricket in the last two innings at Eden Park and we've talked about being more responsible and protecting our wicket a bit more," Waugh said.

The Basin Reserve wicket will be more suitable for the batsman, even though it almost glowed yellow on Thursday when ground staff peeled off the covers for the first time in 36 hours.

It is expected to flatten out after the first morning, which could test Slater's promise that his scoring drought is about to end.

The explosive opener failed to reach double figures in his last four Test innings after surging through one of his best years.

"It's got to be put into perspective. The game goes in cycles and at the moment I've had a few Tests without big performances but it will happen and it will happen soon," Slater said.

"My feet are moving well and I'm seeing the ball early. Because of that it's only a matter of time and it's all about feeling good about yourself.

"It's not like I'm feeling that I'm struggling. The runs aren't there to show but they will be shortly given that I keep working hard.

"I've got a good mental approach and with those ingredients it will lead to success."

Slater and his opening partner Greg Blewett need a solid stand to stave off the challenge of reserve opener Matthew Hayden, who watched from the stands last week as the partnership failed to pass 10 for the eighth consecutive Test innings.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming admitted the Australian openers had been vulnerable but he did not fall into the trap of saying it would be a weak link in this Test.

Fleming indicated that left-arm swing bowler Shayne O'Connor would play at the expense of off-spinner Paul Wiseman but the Australians were likely to stick with the same team.

Off-spinner Colin Miller was still in line for selection after his six wickets in Auckland, even though the conditions prompted Waugh to consider throwing swing bowler Damien Fleming back into the fray.

"We're going to have a look tomorrow morning and see what the pitch looks like," Waugh said.

"It would be hard to change the side but, if we need to we will.

"The wicket is pretty hard and flat. I think it might seem around the first day or so and be pretty good batting after that."

Four of the six Tests at the Basin Reserve ground between Australia and New Zealand have been drawn.

The teams:

Australia: Steve Waugh (capt), Michael Slater, Greg Blewett, Justin Langer, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Colin Miller, Glenn McGrath, Damien Fleming (12th man to be named).

New Zealand: Stephen Fleming (capt), Craig Spearman, Matthew Horne, Mathew Sinclair, Nathan Astle, Craig McMillan, Chris Cairns, Adam Parore, Daniel Vettori, Simon Doull, Shayne O'Connor, Paul Wiseman (12th man to be named).