Neesham confident small tweaks will work

New Zealand

New Zealand all-rounder Jimmy Neesham is confident the Black Caps will be able to level the ODI series on Sunday in Potchefstroom, saying they are 'well versed' in making small changes after a defeat.

South Africa won the first ODI by 20 runs on Wednesday in Centurion, with the Kiwis unable to chase down the 304 the hosts made, but Neesham feels that they won't need to tweak much to get a win on Sunday.

Neesham said: "We're well versed on what it takes to make those little one per cent improvements and come back stronger in the next games.

"We've shown that once we do get a look at a team, we find ways to improve and manage to get an edge from then on.

"We're under no illusions that we didn't play our best game, but on the other hand we weren't far off beating a very good South African side."

The all-rounder has missed a lot of cricket this year, due to a lower back stress fracture, and was happy to miss out on the team golf day this week as a precaution if it meant staying on the cricket field.

He added: "It's a tour to get back into the swing of things and get back home injury-free first and foremost.

"Hopefully the body can hold together for a couple more games."

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