SA, Kiwis use finals to boost confidence

South Africa captain Shaun Pollock said on Tuesday victory in this week's limited overs finals series against New Zealand would lift team morale ahead of the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Australia thrashed the Proteas 3-0 in the Test series which finished in January but then failed to qualify for the finals of the triangular one-day series and head to South Africa later this month for three Tests against the home side.

"It does lead to a bit of momentum. As sportsmen, confidence level is what it's all about," Pollock said.

"The guys have picked themselves up nicely. The guys are keen to get out there and play well."

South Africa, who host the World Cup next year, play New Zealand in the first match of the best-of-three finals series in Melbourne on Wednesday.

The second match will be played in Sydney on Friday and the third, if required, will be in Sydney on Sunday.

BREAKTHROUGH

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said the Kiwis had never won the triangular series in Australia and were desperate to do so, which would also be a positive step in their bid to prepare for the World Cup.

Fleming said the Kiwis had found their loss to Australia in Melbourne on January 29 a draining experience. Michael Bevan's unbeaten century lifted Australia to victory in the final over after they had been 82 for six chasing 246 to win.

The Kiwis then flew west to Perth where they were forced to leave out all-rounder Chris Cairns (back) and Shane Bond (groin) and were thrashed by South Africa by 67 runs on Friday.

"Now we've had a bit of time off, we will in all likelihood have our strongest team, and it's a good thing," Fleming said on Tuesday.

"We've competed well at times in this tournament and now we have an opportunity to win it which is what we're desperate to do.

"We think we can (win). So the next step is we go home to face England who have played well, so we have a lot of things boiling away coming up to the World Cup but at the moment, this is very important to us.

"It (the Australian triangular series) is something we've never won. This team is moving in the right direction but there are still gains to be made."

Bond has been the most successful bowler of the tournament, taking 20 wickets at 14.60.

Cairns has been the fourth-leading wicket-taker with 10 wickets at 26.00 and also the second-leading run-scorer, smashing 257 runs at 51.40 including an unbeaten century.

Pollock said his side's 15 wins in their past 16 one-day matches against New Zealand would count for nothing during the finals series.

"I'm sure they will be very motivated to play well against us," Pollock said. "We expect them to come out with guns blazing."

Mail Cricket Editor