The bonus-points system for this year's triangular VB Series in Australia has been changed, the Sydney Morning Herald reported today, after the version used last season suffered accusations of result rigging. The bonus-point system in the triangular series last year (between Australia, New Zealand and South Africa) was roundly slammed after New Zealand conceded a bonus point to South Africa to keep Australia out of the finals.

South Africa had made 271, and when it became clear that NZ were not going to reach that target, they crawled on to add only 74 in the last 24 overs to ensure they made less than 217 - and so conceding a bonus point to South Africa to shut the door on Australia.

ICC had introduced the bonus-point system for competitions involving three or more teams, to add interest. Ironically, Steve Waugh, the victim, still approved of the idea while Stephen Fleming, the man who used it, was unimpressed by its worth.

After review, ICC's cricket committee made it harder for a team to deliberately concede bonus points. If a team lost and conceded a bonus point last season, it received no points and the winner five. Under the new system to be used this year, the loser still receives no points but the winner receives six.

ICC believe that this extra point will minimise the chance of contrived results. The bonus-point system will not be used at the World Cup next year.

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