New Zealand went through the eight-a-side event unbeaten accounting for South Africa, India, and Pakistan before beating Australia in Sunday night's final.

``This was no funsy-type tournament. The players took it seriously out there,'' Reid said from Malaysia yesterday before the team's return home.

Reid said the Australian side was full of quality players including Adam Gilchrist, Damien Martyn, Greg Blewett, Ricky Ponting, Damien Fleming, Brendon Julian, and Gavin Robertson. India and Pakistan also fielded strong sides studded with international players.

New Zealand restricted Australia to 98 for seven, albeit on a slow outfield deadened by rain, and then overtook Australia's score with four balls remaining in the 14 over-a-side contest.

Reid said New Zealand was heading comfortably towards success with Matthew Horne and Craig Spearman sharing a substantial second-wicket stand before three wickets were lost in three balls. New Zealand required five from the final over but an early boundary by Alex Tait took it through.

New Zealand had made a habit of last-gasp finishes in earlier matches with captain Craig McMillan hitting a match-winning six from the final ball against India and tail-ender Chris Drum striking a four for victory against South Africa after Nathan Astle had hit a splendid 70. Chris Harris distinguished himself with an outstanding innings of 70 from just 30 balls in the win against Pakistan, the only game where New Zealand batted first.

Reid said medium-fast bowler Drum was impressive having come from the New Zealand winter while the slow-medium pace bowlers were economical. Phil Chandler proved a sound wicketkeeper-batsman.

``Craig McMillan won five out of five tosses too which was pretty useful. Teams tended to bat second in this type of new event because it was hard to gauge in the early stages just what was a good score,'' Reid said.

The Super Max eights is a hybrid version of abbreviated limited-overs games played in Australia and New Zealand.

It incorporates the Max zone where scores are doubled, but players can be caught out there.

Future tournaments in Hong Kong, previously a six-a-side event, and Perth will be fixtures of 10 overs an innings.

The win was a rare success for the Black Caps at an international limited-overs event overseas, but apart from match fees and a trophy there was no prize-money at stake.

``It's sort of the equivalent of sevens in rugby and we are trying to standardise the rules and competitions,'' Reid said.