There's nothing like a bit of trans-Tasman sledging to fire people up and the furore over the bonus points shutting Australia out of the finals of their own series has newsprint industrialists rubbing their hands together with glee.

Is it ethical? Is it in the spirit of the game? Is it the end of Steve Waugh? Is Stephen Fleming in the gun?

The questions are never-ending. A sampling of some of the reaction from newspapers on both sides of the Tasman follows.

The New Zealand Herald: "Fleming flouted one of the most serious laws in cricket last Friday but seems set to escape scot-free.

"Not only was the New Zealand captain's order to lose the game against South Africa a flagrant breach of the opening principle of the International Cricket Council's Code of Conduct, it also appeared to fly in the face of a section which deals with corruption.

"Part C, section 10 of the code recommends a life ban for any player or team official who, among other things, "was a party to contriving or attempting to contrive the result of any match".

"Fleming said afterwards that he deliberately conceded a bonus point to the South Africans in order to improve his team's chances of qualifying for the finals.

"'Believe me, it was our last resort ...'

"But in concentrating on the bonus point he had first to decide to throw the match completely.

"Comparisons have been made with Australia's go-slow at Manchester in the 1999 World Cup, but the reality is that Steve Waugh's actions were not nearly as serious.

"At the World Cup, Australia were comfortably beating the West Indies and although they decided to play defensively at the end, they still won, and therefore did little wrong.

"Fleming's actions effectively predetermined the result of a match before it had taken its course, and encouraged his team-mates to underperform.

"The code of conduct also recommends a life ban for any player who induces or encourages any other player not to perform on his merits.

"The other rule which Fleming appeared to contravene was the opening clause of the code, which reminds captains that they are responsible at all times for ensuring that play is conducted within the spirit of the game, as well as the laws.

"But ICC chairman Malcolm Gray said yesterday that it was unlikely there would be any serious repercussions for Fleming, as the tri-series format had left him in an invidious position."

The Sydney Morning Herald: "It may not quite have been cricket, but it was enough to dump Steve Waugh's Australian side out of the finals of the triangular one-day series against South Africa and New Zealand.

"For the second time in three days, one of Australia's rivals had deliberately - but legally - under-achieved in a bid to keep the world champions out of the finals, and secure their own berth.

"Last night against South Africa in Perth, the Australians needed not only to win, but achieve a bonus point by winning convincingly.

"Australia batted first and smashed their way to a commanding position by posting 7-283 from their 50 overs - the highest one-day score of the summer.

"But all South Africa had to do to ensure Australia's demise was not beat the score, instead reaching 80 per cent of it - 227 runs - which would deny Waugh's team the bonus point they desperately needed.

"When the South Africans reached their required denial target with 16 balls to spare, the boos rang out at the WACA Ground, while many fans simply fell quiet."

The Daily Telegraph: "Steve Waugh's decorated reign as captain will be reviewed after Australia failed to make the tri-nation finals despite a courageous last gasp victory over South Africa at the WACA yesterday. Australia's selectors are expected to make ruthless overhaul of limited-over operations just 12 months away from the world cup defence in South Africa.

"Waugh, 36, suffered a slow death-knell as South Africa laboriously chased the a minimum 227 in reply to the Aussies 7-283, to deny the hosts the crucial bonus point they needed to make the final.

"The Proteas will meet New Zealand in the best-of-three finals series starting in Melbourne on Wednesday.

"South Africa only had to prevent Australia winning with the extra point to leap over New Zealand on the table and into the finals.

"Australia's contentious new bonus point system was again under fire with the tedious finish to a virtual 'qualifying final' after Brett Lee ignited hopes of a barnstorming Aussie win with a stunning 51 not out from only 36 balls.

"And despite dumping Australia from finals for only the third time in 23 seasons, when New Zealand enforced go-slow tactics to concede South Africa an extra point on Friday, the scheme looks set for international approval."

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