New Zealand v South Africa
VB Series, Match 9
Sunday, January 27, 2002

This is the most equilateral of triangular tournaments. New Zealand have got the wood on Australia, Australia have got the wood on South Africa, and South Africa have got the wood on New Zealand. There are some amazing dynamics at play in this series, even if the quality hasn't been particularly great. I don't know if it's the pressure that's coming to bear, but no team has been positive or convincing at the top of the order, the fielding's been average, and it's only really the bowling that has taken off for any side.

The conditions have varied from state to state, which can't have helped the players settle, but I wasn't impressed by Adelaide's wicket. Nobody was convinced it would hold up for the entire weekend and so today's toss was crucial. Even so, the strokeplay in both games was pretty dour. It was only ever in the last 10-12 overs that anyone ever went for it, by which time the batsmen were thinking, "if I get out, I get out".

New Zealand had a bit of a hangover from their win on Saturday. They were very sloppy in the field, and dropped a crucial catch, though the same thing happened to Australia yesterday. But New Zealand have a horrendous schedule, with another game on Tuesday, so if they were going to drop a match along the way, tonight would have been a good'un to pick.

I was pleased to see that South Africa went into today's game with a spinner. Nicky Boje has to play every game from now. He brings variety and skill to the bowling, and he certainly doesn't lack anything in the batting and fielding departments. He rattled off his ten overs today and New Zealand didn't have the confidence to go at him. He probably won't have such conducive conditions at Melbourne and Perth, and even Sydney, which are hard and bouncy wickets. It should be a fast and furious two weeks ahead of us.

South Africa showed a lot of heart, though I wasn't too rapt by Allan Donald's reaction to his wicket. It would have been fine if he'd dismissed a top-order player, but not a No. 10. Still, he bowled pretty well, and that showed he was fired up, which also indicates he hasn't been in the right frame of mind until now.

New Zealand looked to be on top all the way, so I was very pleased to see the man-of-the-match award go to Mark Boucher. His was a very impactful innings, though it's easy to overshadow a fifty, especially when one of your bowlers takes four wickets. And it was also good to see Herschelle Gibbs get some time in the middle. He seems to be hitting some form now, and when he reaches a better wicket he ought to reap the rewards. Gary Kirsten is in good form, contrary to appearances, and their partnership is vital at the top of the order. It frees up Kallis and McKenzie in the middle order, and allows Rhodes to do his run-a-ball stuff. He will never kill a game by himself, but he compliments the other guys perfectly.

This result puts the pressure right back on Australia, who now have to win at least one of their last two games and hope that South Africa get nothing out of New Zealand. But I haven't lost faith in Australia. They can't keep underachieving, and it's only a matter of time before their top order click. In fact there was a selection meeting today. I don't know what was said, but I know that a couple of senior players were called in. They are not a happy camp at the moment, but that could work in their favour if it helps them get to the root of the problem.

Each side of this triangle is unique, and now one of the sides will have to click against opponents who've had the beating of them so far. On class alone, you have to tip Australia to join New Zealand in the final, but their underachievers will have to get going. But exciting as this tournament is, I want to see more quality. Early wickets have been falling like flies - nine ducks among the openers so far - and it is time to showcase this series as a clash of three of the best sides in the world.

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 Andrew Miller.

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