Australia v New Zealand
VB Series, Match 8
Saturday, January 26, 2002

Australia are looking very tentative to me, and there's no reason why they should. They've been given a lot of security by the selectors keeping faith with them. But their intensity is down, their hunger is down, and they're making crucial errors at important times – like the Chris Cairns run-out that should have been.

They started poorly in this game, then pulled it back in the middle of New Zealand's innings - and then let it go again. And they batted terribly. OK, New Zealand had the best of the conditions, but those conditions weren't nearly as bad as Australia made them look. Shane Bond was absolutely exceptional – he's really something.

I'd put Australia's poor run against them down to the quality of Stephen Fleming's side. They're not allowing Australia to play as we've seen them play in the past. They're not in awe of them – and so Australia are being made to work really hard.

This is the strongest, most evenly-balanced New Zealand side I've seen. They've got such depth and confidence throughout the order. They're no longer relying on a couple of star players like in the past – everyone is contributing. And they are particularly well led. Stephen Fleming is asking plenty of his players and they're coming up with the goods every time.

New Zealand are enjoying this tournament and enjoying their cricket, and so they should. They're really a quality side and hot favourites to win this tournament now.

I don't think Steve Waugh will be that worried. He probably thought Australia were back to form after those two wins in a row and now he's faced with another setback. He seems to be hoping that New Zealand will go off the boil, but that's not enough. You can't just hope - you have to make it happen. Australia just haven't been good enough against New Zealand so far.

The knives have certainly been out for Mark Waugh. So far he's been given the benefit of his experience. But the questioning of him is valid and appropriate – he's got to start repaying that faith soon. Steve Waugh's plan will be to scrape into the final – but they need to make sure. A win on Tuesday would be a good start.

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

More Ian Healy
It's set up beautifully now

Not totally convincing

© Wisden CricInfo Ltd