A Chris Cairns' heroics at the Gabba last night were given the full treatment in Australia's newspapers today, even matching the Australians inquest into their own failures for space.

Cairns provided one of his specials, a balance of intelligent applied batting and opportunism when the right ball was there, to take New Zealand to the top of the VB Series points table with 12 points from four games.

South Africa backs up again today with a match against Australia.

Australian Associated Press: "Explosive all-rounder Chris Cairns last night unleashed another one-man demolition job at the Gabba to steer New Zealand to a thrilling win over South Africa in their tri-series clash.

"Cairns returned to the ground where he tormented Australia's bowlers during the Test series last November, and hit an unbeaten 102 from 99 balls as NZ (6/244) passed South Africa's target (241) with five balls to spare.

"Cairns spanked South African captain Shaun Pollock to the cover boundary to record the winning runs and bring up his fourth one-day international century, adding to his valuable bowling performance of 2/44 from 10 overs.

"It was a remarkable rescue mission after NZ's run chase looked certain to grind down until Cairns began a trademark onslaught that included nine fours and three sixes, inflicting South Africa's first loss in the tournament.

"And it was the result Australia didn't want, leaving the winless home team further behind in the race for the finals.

"NZ leads the competition with three wins from four matches but South Africa can join the Kiwis tonight with the same record if they beat the struggling Australians.

"At least the South Africans won't have to contend with Cairns.

"Cairns virtually ended the match when he crunched Jacques Kallis (2/57 from 10 overs) over the long-off fence in the penultimate over."

The Sunday Mail: "A cyclonic batting performance by New Zealand allrounder Chris Cairns handed the Black Caps a staggering victory over South Africa in the VB Crisket Series last night at the Gabba. Cairns (102 not out, 99 balls) ignited the match with a sensational batting burst that had the 17,457 patrons in an uproar.

"His 84-run partnership with Adam Parore provided New Zealand with their third win from four matches as the Black Caps entered the final over needing just two runs.

"The Black Caps were 5-98 and then 6-160 chasing 241 before Cairns became entangled in a match-altering partnership with Parore. The Black Caps finished at 6-244 with five balls to spare.

"When Cairns smacked the winning drive over cover to reach his century, he punched the air then left the field with his bat aloft.

"New Zealand started the final 10 overs needing 75 to win, but with Cairns at the crease the Black Caps firmed as favourites.

"When Cairns is on song, no oval in the world is big enough to contain him and three times he cleared the Gabba fence.

"Cairns garnished his innings with a straight driven six over the sight screen from Jacques Kallis' bowling that took him to 98.

"If there was ever a modern day movie of The Great Escape filmed, then all members of this plucky New Zealand outfit should be considered for the cast. They simply refuse to accept they are beaten."

New Zealand Herald: "Big-hitting Chris Cairns played one of the great one-day international innings in the 22-year history of the game, as the Black Caps got up to beat South Africa by four wickets in Brisbane last night.

"Cairns' 102 not out, off just 99 deliveries, lifted New Zealand to their target of 242, with five balls to spare.

"The win was founded on a brilliant exhibition of strokemaking from Cairns which extricated the Black Caps from peril at a mark of 98 for 5 at one stage.

"Chasing South Africa's tally of 241, the New Zealanders' chase began disastrously as Mark Richardson (0) perished from just the second ball of the innings and as further wickets tumbled through the middle stages.

"Adam Parore (21 not out) compiled the match-winning score with Cairns in an excellent unbeaten partnership of 84 for the seventh wicket.

"Earlier in the day, their renowned fighting qualities had also been in evidence again as they pegged the Proteas back when a huge total had looked in prospect.

"Five South African wickets crashed for the addition of just 10 runs at the conclusion of the innings as they stuttered toward their eventual score.

"Their late collapse ultimately proved extremely costly.

"Chris Harris, who flew over for the match after having returned to New Zealand the day before for family reasons, contributed a useful 24 with the bat and took 1 for 45 off the ten overs he bowled.

"The South Africans will now have to pick themselves up in time to take on the desperate Australian side in the second of the weekend's double-header of games at the Gabba later today."

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