Early exits for Tuffey and Papps

A dazed Michael Papps receives treatment after being struck by Brett Lee © Getty Images

Daryl Tuffey's involvement in the one-day series against Australia is over after a shocking performance in the third ODI at Auckland on Saturday.

Tuffey started with four no-balls and four wides in a 14-ball opening over, eventually conceding 25 runs in a two-over spell. It took his total to 145 runs off 18 overs in the three games, and that left Stephen Fleming far from amused. "There was a lot of faith put in him for this game," Fleming told the Sunday Star Times. "There were question marks over his form from the first two games and that performance was certainly not up to international standard. You have got to be pretty disappointed when he bowled so well for us in the past and then he puts in a performance like that."

New Zealand coach John Bracewell went further, saying that Tuffey was suffering from a complete lack of confidence and would be sent to the New Zealand Cricket High Performance Centre to work with sports psychologist Gilbert Enoka and academy director Dayle Hadlee. "He went through a period of denial with his technique," Bracewell admitted. "It's escalated and grown on him to a certain extent and he's got to come to terms with that. It's simple confidence, I don't think he's ever regained his confidence from his knee issue. That has affected his technique. He's falling away."

Tuffey's problems might be in the mind, but Michael Papps's were more physical. He was forced to go to hospital for a scan after being struck on the head twice by Brett Lee bouncers, one of which left a dent in his helmet and a large swelling on the side of his head. Despite continuing dizziness he was later discharged.

"They went hard at Michael," Fleming admitted. "They were always going to head hunt him because they knew he was probably going to be the guy opening in the Tests."