New Zealand's compelling form in the Australia tri-series has Australian critics regarding the Black Caps as genuine contenders for next year's World Cup in South Africa.

While the experience against Australia and South Africa is useful in New Zealand's build-up to that tournament the impressive control the Kiwis are showing is more firmly focused on maintaining that position to try and be the first New Zealand side to win the tournament since they first started playing in the summer of 1980/81.

The return of opener Nathan Astle and the continuing influence of genuine fast bowler Shane Bond were also factors in yesterday's 77-run win in Adelaide.

A sampling of same of the newspaper opinions follows:

The Sun Herald: "New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming may still be searching for the perfect game from his team but the men in black last night announced themselves as contenders for the 2003 World Cup with a thorough thrashing of Australia at Adelaide Oval.

"New Zealand's win was their third over the World Cup holders this series, and by far their most convincing performance, earning them a valuable bonus point.

"Having made a competitive 5-242 after winning the toss and batting, New Zealand skittled Australia for 165, with Shane Bond taking 5-25 in a man-of-the-match performance.

"The 77-run victory, achieved inside 46 overs, means the unbeaten New Zealanders require just one win from their remaining two games to secure a place in the finals. The odds would be in favour of them achieving that here today against struggling South Africa.

"That would defuse a potentially harrowing schedule of three matches in four days, allowing the Kiwis to rest key players in the match against Australia in Melbourne on Tuesday if they so choose."

The Sunday Age: "Australia may have shelved its rotation selection policy but it has not exorcised the demons that have plagued its one-day performances this summer, its 77-run loss to New Zealand at Adelaide last night putting its finals hopes in serious doubt.

"The Australians were bowled out for 165 inside 46overs in response to NZ's 5/242 from 50 overs, gifting the Kiwis a bonus point.

"Australian captain Steve Waugh was confident his team would still make the finals, but said his batsmen needed to show greater concentration to win the remaining two matches, against NZ at the MCG on Tuesday, and against South Africa in Perth on Sunday.

"'I don't mind losing if we're playing well and getting in there and fighting and scrapping,' he said, 'but we're losing too easily, which is disappointing. I know we can turn it around. We've just left our run too late and put ourselves under pressure.'"

"Last night's shoddy performance was the sixth match between the two nations this summer, with Australia yet to win. It drew all three Tests against the Kiwis, and lost its two previous one-day internationals by 23 runs apiece."

The Sunday Telegraph: "New Zealand have found the match-winning bowler they have craved after Shane Bond kept Australia's batting line-up under his thumb in Adelaide last night. Bond claimed 5-25 as Australia folded like the house of cards in Steve Waugh's Orange television advertisement. The Kiwis picked up a bonus point by dismissing the home side for 165 in 45.2 overs to win by 77 runs.

"Just when things seemed to be on the improve for Australia with back-to-back wins against South Africa, they ran into a rampant Kiwi side who put them firmly back in their place.

"Things just keep getting better for the Kiwis, who welcomed back opening batsman Nathan Astle and opening bowler Dion Nash yesterday.

"Nash supported Bond with the new ball and Astle top-scored with 95 as the Kiwis reached 5-242 from their 50 overs.

"The way Chris Cairns served up a bouncer to Glenn McGrath when the match was won proved they are no longer intimidated by Australia.

"All parts of the Kiwi game are working, but the same can't be said for Australia who can't seem to get anything going at the top of their order."

Australian Associated Press: "New Zealand's Nathan Astle became his country's highest scorer in one-day international cricket as his side virtually booked itself a finals berth with a huge win over Australia in their day-nighter at Adelaide Oval.

"New Zealand made 5-242 in its 50 overs with Astle top-scoring on 95 in his first match of the tour.

"Australia then crumbled to be all out for 165 in the 46th over of its innings, only Michael Bevan (45 from 62 balls), captain Steve Waugh (30 from 58 balls) and Shane Warne (22 from 32 balls) offering any resistance to the rampant Kiwis.

"The tourists continued their undefeated run against Australia in both forms of the game this summer, climbing to 17 points on the tri-series table, after earning a bonus point for tonight's win."

The Sunday Mail: "New Zealand continued to wreak havoc in the tri-nation one-day series with a 77-run destruction of Australia at Adelaide Oval last night. The Kiwis claimed their third limited-overs win over the home side this summer, dismissing Australia for a 165 in the 46th over after amassing 5/242.

"It was an emphatic performance from NZ, which secured a bonus point by restricting Australia to less than 193.

"The Black Caps now have stretched their lead at the head of the points table to eight and almost certainly guaranteed themselves a spot in the finals.

"Record-breaking opening batsman Nathan Astle and paceman Shane Bond were the heroes as NZ produced an impressive effort which will further boost an already confident outfit.

"Bond, who joined the tour as a replacement for then-injured Dion Nash, ripped the heart out of the Australian top order, bagging 3/12 from five overs in an inspired opening spell. He finished with 5/25 off 9.2 overs.

"Mark Waugh, his life at the top level already being questioned, did little to lift the dark cloud hanging over his head when he offered a leading edge to Nash in the first over to be out for a duck.

"Waugh has 71 runs in the series from five opportunities."

New Zealand Press Association: "Cricketing moments don't come much sweeter than this for New Zealand.

"As if the tri-series one-day competition hadn't already provided enough highlights, the Black Caps last night comprehensively outplayed Australia on their national day, inflicting a humiliating 77-run hiding.

"Chasing New Zealand's 242 for five, the Australian run chase was firstly rocked by man-of-the-match Shane Bond, who returned to clean out the tail and dismiss the home side for 165 in the 46th over. His figures of five for 25 were the third best in New Zealand one-day history.

"Just to top things off, the lop-sided victory gave New Zealand a bonus point, virtually ensuring themselves a spot in the finals. They would need to lose all three remaining matches to miss out and, even then, could still qualify.

"More than 28,000 largely-home supporters had their Australia Day spoiled by a New Zealand side riding high on confidence and a self-belief not seen since the 1991-92 World Cup.

"Fresh from their two wins over South Africa, the Australians believed they had turned the corner after opening the series with the three straight losses. Tonight's ignominious defeat leaves them and the Proteas battling for the other finals position."

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