Beaten by a cricket machine

By Mark Richardson New Zealand batsman

Looking back on what has been a very difficult Test series, all I can say is were outclassed by an Australian team that was way too good for us.

For most of the time they played at a level above any other opposition I've encountered.

They are like a cricketing juggernaut that just rolled along and methodically flattens all that come before it.

Stephen Fleming described taking on their attack as being like facing three Richard Hadlees and the world's greatest leg-spinner. I tend to agree with him.

There is nothing flashy about the way they bowl. They are not quick and do not, in fact, do anything that special.

Even Shane Warne is not the huge turner with massive variation he once was, but their experience and skill combines to allow them to carry out plans with ruthless efficiency.

After your Australian hiding you really should be at your strongest

They say the only way to play their bowling is to attack it and that our approach to grind it out was wrong.

Maybe it was, but you tell me or any of my colleagues how to whack the good length ball hitting the top of off stump that you receive ball after ball.

Their batting has the same ruthless efficiency. The batters have well-defined games; it is no secret as to where they look to score.

You can defend and shut them down, that is if you can land the ball on a pound coin every time, because if you miss you go.

Your margin for error is very small and they really do keep opposing bowlers under immense pressure.

This Australian team, playing the way it is at present, is close to being machine-like.

Oram would rather be beaten up by a champion than beat a weakling

Jacob Oram said he would much prefer to be beaten up by a champion than beat up a weakling. This is a very good way to view the Australian experience.

You probably don't want to strike them too often but if you can play them enough, compete hard and learn from the experience you will improve.

It is a hard school and many will fail against them but the important thing is not let them crush your will.

It is easy to feel beaten up but to give up is to be really beaten.

The important thing to remember is that there are nine other Test-playing nations and after your Australian hiding you really should be at your strongest.

With that said the horrific thought for us is that we have three more Tests against these guys coming up at home with only the reprieve of two dates with Sri Lanka.

And Muttiah Muralitharan's doosra.