SYDNEY (Reuters)
New Zealand fast bowler Dion Nash has been ruled out of the second VB Series final against South Africa because of injury.

Nash suffered an abdominal strain while batting during Wednesday's eight-wicket loss to South Africa at Melbourne and New Zealand's coach Dennis Aberhart said was unlikely to be fit for the third final if it is required on Sunday. With allrounder Chris Cairns also struggling for fitness, the New Zealand selectors have delayed naming their team until the day of the match.

Heavy rain in Sydney over the past week has placed doubts as to whether the game will go ahead, but New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said his team would be happy to play on a wicket affected by rain. "We're desperate to win," said Fleming, "so it may help us if the pitch is more bowler-friendly and conducive to a quick result.

"Even at the best of times it's been decking around a little bit and those may be the best conditions for us because we can make some inroads into their batting. Within that may lie an opportunity."

Fleming said he was confident his team could end their losing streak against South Africa so long as they concentrated for the entire match.

"There's 10 or 15 overs in every match when we're not playing that well, and every time we've done it against South Africa, they've capitalised on it. We've got to place them under pressure and that means playing better than what we have so far."

South Africa's captain Shaun Pollock said he was confident his team could finish off the Kiwis without having to go to the third match.

"If we carry on playing the way we are we'll be a difficult side to beat," said Pollock, "but we have to keep playing well.

"We can't afford to become in any way complacent. For New Zealand it's do-or-die so they'll come in as hard as they can."

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