Vincent lays down challenge to Aussies

Lou Vincent continued to irritate Australia with a gritty 90 as New Zealand set the hosts a challenging target of 291 to win their Commonwealth Bank Series clash in Melbourne.

The 28-year-old was top scorer for the Black Caps although Peter Fulton chipped in with 60 - the pair putting on 151 for the second wicket on a docile drop-in pitch at the MCG.

Vincent has found himself in the headlines over the past few days. He made 66 in Perth last Sunday before launching a broadside at Ricky Ponting's men, accusing them of arrogance and behaving like "a pack of dogs" in the field.

The expected Aussie retribution did not materialise, however, as the hosts' attack failed to fire, although Shaun Tait was impressive, taking one for 26 from his 10 overs with one delivery recorded at 99.4mph.

Tait opened the bowling with fellow paceman Brett Lee in what looked a threatening partnership. But the benign pitch did them no favours, even though Lee accounted for New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming early on.

Fleming's dismissal brought Fulton to the crease and he and Vincent prospered with some pugnacious batting.

They saw through the remainder of the 20 powerplay overs - New Zealand making 99 runs with the fielding restrictions in place - and rarely looked threatened by an Australia side which has gone a little off the boil in recent outings.

Part-time spinner Michael Clarke eventually made the breakthrough, trapping Fulton leg before wicket. Vincent followed five overs later, Tait spearing another rapid ball on to the stumps.

Having been given such a solid platform, the rest of the batsmen were given licence to chase quick runs. Ross Taylor (21) and the returning Scott Styris, who made 34, contributed useful efforts while the in-form Jacob Oram looked dangerous before holing out to Brad Hodge in the deep off Lee for 15.

If New Zealand win in Melbourne it would put them in pole position to meet Australia again in the best-of-three finals.