BRISBANE, Nov 4: New Zealand's cricketers have been told to dig deeper after a disastrous start to their Australian tour, while star Australian spinner Shane Warne says he is ready to dig their graves.

New Zealand has suffered two embarrassing defeats by an innings against Queensland and New South Wales heading into the first of three Tests, starting at the Gabba on Friday. The Kiwis crumbled to Queensland off-spinner Paul Jackson and NSW leg-spinner Stuart MaCgill in their two losses, an ominous pointer to their chances against one of the world's top spin bowlers.

Meanwhile, Australian cricket vice-captain Steve Waugh said the team was professional enough to shut out the distractions of strike speculation.Waugh said the team was unlikely to be diverted by the dispute between the Australian Cricket Board and the Australian Cricketers' Association, over pay and power, which has raised the spectre of industrial action.

Warne was upbeat about his form ahead of the Test, despite a below par return in the Sheffield Shield match against QueenslandNew Zealand was due to choose its team on Wednesday or Thursday but poor form all round has clouded the issue although the options are limited.

Coach Steve Rixon admitted his credibility had probably been harmed by his team's efforts on tour. Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming however said that he was confident that his side would tide over their woes in time for the Test.

Team: Australia: Mark Taylor (captain), Matthew Elliott, Greg Blewett, Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Ian Healy, Shane Warne, Paul Reiffel, Michael Kasprowicz, Glenn McGrath, Andrew Bichel (12th name to be named).

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.