VB Series, 1st Final
Wednesday, February 6, 2002

That was a very, very flat final - the Kiwis were completely ordinary and don't really have any positives to take from the game. They made such a big thing of getting to the finals, but today they just seemed overwhelmed. It was certainly very nice of them to let South Africa have that bonus point!

I've said it before, but this whole bonus-point business has been a distraction. I can't remember a series where each team has had the wood on one particular opponent so often. New Zealand were inspired against Australia, but every time the South Africans have come into the picture they've frozen. It was no different today.

But New Zealand have been in average form for a while now - they came out of the blocks quick, but they've had a few injuries since. Bond was covered in bandages out there, Dion Nash looked like he'd done his hamstring and Chris Cairns clearly wasn't 100%. Astle and Vincent look badly out of form at the top of the order, and really their only plus point was Craig McMillan who batted as well as he has done in this series. Stephen Fleming struggled to 50 … again. Somehow he's the tournament top-scorer, but he's yet to hit one out of the middle of the bat.

But it was a high-class display from the South Africans. Their pressure fielding was spot-on, and Makhaya Ntini put in a fine spell on a good batting pitch. His two early wickets rocked the Kiwis, and he came back to mop up later. Allan Donald wasn't fully fit and it remains to be seen whether he'll bounce back at Sydney. He's had a foot injury but it could just be a 24-hour thing.

New Zealand have to go to Sydney on Friday with a clear head. If they let this performance worry them, then they'll end up playing much as South Africa do against the Aussies. But having said that, it's possible that there will be no Sydney final. They've really struggled for any sunlight over there, and at the moment they are attempting to dry out the square under a marquee. New Zealand will be desperately disappointed if that is it for their prospects.

The crowd today didn't look up to much, but 20,600 was pretty good for a stadium that holds 95,000, given that Australia weren't playing. That's the way things go in Melbourne. The MCG's so huge that nobody pre-books - they just look at the match, look at the weather and make a snap decision. It'll be different at Sydney. And if they do get any play there, you can bet your life the pitch will be green and spicy. With a fully-fit bowling line-up it's anyone's game, and the toss will be crucial.

Ian Healy, one of the game's greatest wicketkeepers, is now a commentator for Channel 9 in Australia. He is giving his verdict on Wisden.com throughout the VB Series. He was talking to Andrew Miller.

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