Martin Crowe has called for an overhaul of NZ's batting line-up on the eve of their opening Champions Trophy match against SA.

Crowe believes Brendon McCullum would be better playing down the order after under-performing in the opening role during the past 12 months.

In the recent tri-series against Sri Lanka and India he averaged 8.50 and in warm-up matches for the one-day tournament in South Africa he scored 15 against India in the 103-run win after making 18 in the two-wicket loss to a Warriors club side.

Crowe feels Martin Guptill, who has been in good touch with a 63 and 78 in the warm-up games, should join Jesse Ryder at the top of the order.

"I'd love to see Brendon McCullum drop down to number six or seven and Guptill come up and join Jesse Ryder. I think those guys are in reasonable form and we know that McCullum isn't," Crowe told Radio Sport.

Damage

"With McCullum coming down the order, if he's got a target in his sight it will help his focus. He struggles to set up innings and he has done for a while now.

"I'd also bring (Neil) Broom, who has shown some form in the warm-up games, up to four or five to join (Grant) Elliott, and (Ross) Taylor would go into number three, where I think he could do some real damage in the first few overs."

New Zealand have dropped down to seventh in the one-day rankings following their disappointing tri-series.

They take on a South Africa side desperate to bounce back from a heavy loss to Sri Lanka in the tournament opener yesterday.

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Crowe continued: "The New Zealand side on paper is a good side. We win a game and all of a sudden you jump up a couple of places (in the rankings).

"They are capable of doing that but just recently their form hasn't been good. Let's hope there is a turn around.

"If you win one game you're pretty well sure of making the semis. That's what New Zealand have got to do.

"They've got to try and take on South Africa, who I think fancied themselves going into the tournament but got a bit of a wake-up (call against Sri Lanka)."