This is coach Ann McKenna's assertion, despite New Zealand having suffered its second Shell Rosebowl series loss in succession to Australia last weekend in Sydney.
New Zealand was beaten, 2-1, having lost the first two matches, which followed a 4-1 defeat in the previous series earlier in the year in New Zealand.
McKenna said Australia was dismissed for achieveable targets in each of the three matches, but only in the third did New Zealand, which batted second in each match, overhaul the home side.
``Some of our players showed poor shot selection under pressure. The mental toughness thing is a big area and we must show composure under pressure.''
New Zealand's batting, apart from Emily Drumm who won the ``player of the series'' award, was mediocre with Debbie Hockley not quite able to re-produce her run-getting efforts of the lead-up matches, and captain Maia Lewis dismissed cheaply regularly.
``Debbie and Maia were unlucky in the last match when they were both out to direct hit run-outs, but Maia had shown a tendency to chase the swinging ball outside off stump early in her innings,'' McKenna said.
Despite the defeats, McKenna said the players remain confident in their ability to beat Australia should the teams meet in the World Cup final in late December, with both the best-performed teams in their respective pools.
``Our bowlers generally did a good job containing them, we just have to get more out of the batters.''
McKenna said New Zealand would have preferred to bat first and set a target in excess of 200, but only won the toss once, in the first match. ``We chose to bowl first then because of the threat of rain and the likelihood of a reduced overs game which was the right tactic.''
New Zealand's tactic of trying several pinch-hitters up the order to get the side away to a flying start did not succeed with those used unable to combat Australia's new ball-bowlers who swung the ball about in humid conditions.
``I don't think we will do that again, unless perhaps chasing a big score,'' McKenna said.
McKenna said a neck injury to recent regular opener Shelley Fruin, which ruled her out of the latter two matches, was a hinderance to their plans to attack at the top of the order.
McKenna felt the bowlers performed well with newcomer Kathryn Ramel impressing with her ability to bowl blockhole deliveries late in the innings.
``We just need to get more consistency in either bowling those or just short of a length which makes it hard to score.''
Another bowler, either left-arm slow Justine Fryer (Wellington) or medium-fast Sara McLauchlan (Auckland) will be added to the team today to make the 14-strong squad for the Cup.
``We needed that extra bowler to give us more depth there and a few more options,'' McKenna said.
Another new cap, Otago's Rachel Pullar did well in a strike bowling role, but struggled to contain the Australians later in the innings.