Kevin Pietersen again failed to produce the big score his team-mates have been predicting since arrival in Bangladesh, with a breezy 20 before being bowled on the sweep.

That took his total to 69 in seven innings on tour, a miserable return for a player of his rare talent.

Flower saw the likes of James Tredwell, with eight wickets in the match, and Jonathan Trott, with an unbeaten century in the first innings, lay down firm markers, but remains convinced of Pietersen's ability despite his failure to follow suit.

"I think he is frustrated at the moment," Flower conceded.

"It's a pity he didn't spend some more time in the middle because I thought he looked quite good for his 20.

"It was a positive 20, an attacking 20, and that is the way he likes to play.

"I thought he showed some good signs. He's a world-class player with a great record behind him and we still expect a lot from him in these Test matches.

"I don't really agree with that cricketing phase 'one knock away' but I do think all the hard work he is putting in and the thought he is putting into his game will stand him in good stead in the future."

Flower's batting line-up for Friday may have resolved itself over the course of the match, with Trott looking assured enough to take on the opening mantle and Michael Carberry's 40-run return perhaps not enough to earn a Test debut.

But his bowling ranks have been disrupted by back injuries to Graham Onions and Stuart Broad.

Onions has next to no chance of playing but Broad will have one final session to prove his fitness tomorrow.

"Broad has bowled two spells today, one of about six overs at lunch then another of about three overs at tea," said Flower.

"He's improved pretty quickly. Our medical staff and fitness trainer have got him up and running again and he is going to have a proper run out at practice, then we'll see how he responds."

Should Broad not be 100 per cent, Flower opened up the possibility of a whirlwind Test bow for Steven Finn.

The 20-year-old Middlesex quick only arrived in the country on Saturday as injury cover but caught the eye against Bangladesh A and may have leapfrogged the likes of Liam Plunkett and Ajmal Shahzad.

"It was quite interesting seeing four seamers operate in quite a competitive environment here," said Flower. "I wouldn't rule Finn out.

"He's been added to the party and he's a contender for selection.

"He did very well to get off the plane the afternoon before this game and then rock up and bowl the next day.

He's handled himself well for a young man and has been impressive.

"He's bowled with pace on a slow pitch and bowled with accuracy; he's quite a good prospect."

Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori was left to digest another poor batting performance from his side following their six-wicket defeat to Australia in the third Chappell-Hadlee one-day match in Hamilton.

The defeat gave Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-match series which moves to Auckland for game four tomorrow.

Only Ross Taylor, who came into the match under an injury cloud, scored a half-century for the hosts, although a gritty innings of 41 from Scott Styris and 45 from Gareth Hopkins at least ensured the Black Caps got to 245 all out.

But a superb century from Australia opener Brad Haddin (110) and his 151-run second-wicket stand with captain Ricky Ponting (69) broke the back of the run-chase after the early loss of Shane Watson (15) and from there the visitors cruised to a comfortable victory.