PERTH, Jan 31: Australian captain Ricky Ponting and other senior players will seek out younger members of the squad to ensure their confidence has not been shattered following Australia’s 4-1 one-day series loss to South Africa.

Reeling from the another poor performance, Ponting said it was important the team started afresh for their five-game series against New Zealand, which begins here on Sunday.

“I think it’s a mindset thing at the moment,” Ponting said. “Confidence in the group is down a little bit on our last couple of performances.

“With the younger guys in and around the group and coming in for their first series and losing it the way we have it’s important for me as a senior player, and some of the other guys, to really get to them in the next 24 hours and let them know that series is gone now and we have to look forward to the New Zealand series.

“It’s important we start off this series against New Zealand on a positive note.

“There is a lot of room for improvement with the cricket we’ve played in the last couple of games.”

Ponting is even looking at going on the front foot against the visitors by unleashing Shaun Tait to reopen some old scars.

Tait terrorised NZ in a Twenty20 match at the WACA Ground in 2007, snaring 2-22 in four breathtaking overs as he unnerved the Kiwi’s line-up with his sizzling pace.

“He’s got a good record against New Zealand and one Twenty20 game in particular he played against them last year was pretty entertaining so hopefully he can come back in and have an immediate impact for us,” Ponting said.

NZ are set to recall paceman Tim Southee, who sat out Thursday’s loss to the Prime Minister’s XI with a groin strain, while captain Daniel Vettori is also contemplating including off-spinner Jeetan Patel.

Jesse Ryder will miss the opener due to a shoulder injury but wicket-keeper Brendon McCullum, who blasted a century against the Prime Minister’s XI, appears to have overcome a hip injury.

Ponting said opener David Warner, who averaged just 22.25 against South Africa in the one-day series, would play all five games against the Kiwis.

“It’s too early yet to start panicking,” Ponting said. “We identify these guys and pick them as youngsters and we’ve got to show a bit of faith in them and give them the experience that they need and hopefully they come out as better players as a result.”

Meanwhile, victorious South African coach Mickey Arthur says New Zealand’s “bunch of scrappers” can give Australia more headaches after their summer reached another low ebb in Perth on Friday night.

And Australia’s struggles with bat and ball provides a glimmer of hope for the young New Zealand team ahead of Sunday’s Chappell-Hadlee Trophy opener.—Agencies