Hamilton, March 20: With his side still 166 runs in arrears, New Zealand coach Andy Moles knows the boat is sinking, but is desperate to get the damage repaired.

"We find ourselves in a very difficult position. To be honest we have been outplayed for the first three days of the contest. We have to make sure that we come and show some character over the next two days," Moles said after the third day’s play on Friday.

"Certainly for a start we’ve got to save the game. I’ve let the guys know that we need to start doing the basics for longer. We haven’t bowled well for long enough periods. We haven’t batted well in pairs for long enough. In the field we’ve been sloppy — dropped four catches, there were balls in the outfield that we should have perhaps cut off. Not a very good advert for the Test team so far in this game," he said.

Asked if the top order was a worry, Moles replied in the negative. "Not at all. Guptill’s playing his first game, McIntosh is playing his third. They’re all youngsters just starting and we’re playing against a good side. Guptill continues to play some good innings and would be very disappointed to have got out like he did.

Moles said the hosts did not regret not playing off-spinner Jeetan Patel in the Test.