Australia's developing cricket crisis as it remains winless after its first three games in the VB Series with New Zealand and South Africa dominated the headlines today.

Last night's 23-run victory by New Zealand saw another Australian collapse and more attention being paid to the creaking Australian ship.

The New Zealand Herald: "New Zealand again built their win on the policy of applying pressure on the world champions batting, which has not only looked fragile at the top, but also sports the longest tail of the three sides in the tournament.

"In front of the 40,000-strong, mostly stunned Sydney crowd, Lou Vincent ended the match when he accepted a steepling mis-hit from Glenn McGrath, sparking wild scenes of celebrations from the New Zealanders, who after thanking the Kiwi fans in the crowd, were embraced one after another by the injured [Stephen] Fleming.

"[Chris] Cairns may have felt mixed feelings about his first decision as New Zealand ODI captain, which was to bat first, but was thoroughly vindicated during the chase as Australia collapsed in a heap, this time losing more than half their team in less than 10 overs."

The Sydney Morning Herald: "For an act of vengeance, it began as a bloodless affair at the Sydney Cricket Ground and ended with Australia sailing into the eye of a New Zealand storm and sinking to their third successive loss last night.

"The jubilant New Zealanders embraced and seized the stumps as mementoes as Glenn McGrath skied the last catch to provide the Black Caps with back-to-back wins over Australia in the VB Series after another low-scoring, intense and fascinating battle.

"Never before have Australia lost their first three games of the qualifying series of the triangular tournament and only twice since the inaugural season of 1979-80 have they failed to reach the final, that same initial summer when World Series Cricket players returned to the establishment and again in 1996-97 when Pakistan and the West Indies met in the best-of-three-game final series.

"The World Cup champion Australians fly to Brisbane today to play South Africa on Sunday with only five qualifying matches to put their house in order, Steve Waugh declaring: "'It'll be real tough if we don't beat South Africa. I don't see it as a crisis. We'll come back. We're not playing well, but we'll get out of it.'"

The Daily Telegraph: "Shane Warne may have been welcomed back to the Australian leadership fold, but New Zealand showed little respect for the spin king last night.

"The reinstated vice-captain was plastered on every billboard around the SCG last night - finishing with his most expensive bowling spell ever in one-day cricket.

"With figures of 2-65 off nine overs, Warne might have been high on his return to the honour of deputising to Steve Waugh, but his bowling figures helped New Zealand post a highly defendable tally after a blistering start by Glenn McGrath and Jason Gillespie had the Kiwis in a futile search for runs.

"Warne's previous most expensive figures were recorded in Cape Town in 1996-7 when he bowled a full 10 overs against South Africa for 2-64.

"Yesterday he was the weak link in an attack that in the early stages looked like turning Australia's third match of the VB Series into a non-contest.

"Warne, and the imposters that infiltrated the SCG instead of Australia's regular elite fielders, that is.

"Mark Waugh, Ricky Ponting and Michael Bevan - normally the safest of catchers - each dropped chances, only to be backed up by less than average fielding throughout the ranks, including Steve Waugh who appeared to have increasing problems getting his ageing body into position.

The Australian: "From the time their captain Stephen Fleming was hurt in the pre-match warm-up and withdrew, the Kiwis were rank outsiders but in the end it was their doggedness and immaculate planning which ensured they once more had their day.

"The Australians, particularly those who threw away their wickets, could learn a bit from their trans-Tasman foes in this regard.

"The result was a triumph for all rounder Chris Cairns who was handed the skipper's job at the last-minute when Fleming was struck in the nets an hour before the match began."

New Zealand Press Association: "New Zealand sent Australia crashing to their third straight loss in the one-day tri-series with a memorable 23-run victory at the Sydney Cricket Ground last night.

"The Black Caps defended with the same vigour that saw them win the tournament's opening game last Friday in Melbourne by the same margin, dismissing Australia for 212 after having earlier scored 235 for nine.

"The win sees them join South Africa on eight points through two wins while the Australians are in danger of missing the finals.

"As with their win in Melbourne, the stand-out New Zealand performers were Chris Cairns and Chris Harris, who produced important contributions with both bat and ball.

"After a painfully-slow start, Cairns gave the New Zealand innings momentum with a hard-hit 31. Harris later top-scored and steered the side through its 50 overs with an unbeaten 42.

"With the ball, Cairns took one for 32 from nine impressive overs while man-of-the-match Harris claimed three for 37 off 8.2 overs and took two splendid catches."

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