Encore at Christchurch It would have been difficult to not experience deja-vu when Jacob Oram struck the winning runs at Christchurch. Just as in Auckland, India reached a total of 108, put up a semblance of a fight by taking some wickets, but just did not have the runs to play with. As in Auckland, Rahul Dravid made 20 runs and found no support. As in Auckland, Daryl Tuffey struck early, accounting for the dangerous Virender Sehwag as one of his two wickets for 11 runs in 10 overs. And obligingly, New Zealand went on to register a win yet again, taking them 3-0 up in this series after their five-wicket victory. Ferocious pitches or no, Indian collapses for 100-odd are inexcusable, and Sourav Ganguly really has a lot of thinking to do before the next ODI. India could theoretically still bounce back in this series, but right now it looks as remote as Alpha Centauri.

Ganguly: People can judge for themselves about the pitch A despondent-looking Sourav Ganguly, at the post-match press conference, restrained himself from commenting on the state of the Christchurch pitch when asked. "Let's not go into that," he said. "People have watched the game on television, and they can judge for themselves." He also held up no excuses for the inept batting performance. "We are just not putting runs on the board, and we have to work out some way to counter this." About his own form, he said, "I am concerned about it. I had a good year with the bat so far, but it does not seem to be happening in New Zealand." "There is a tough road ahead in the next four matches, but nothing is impossible," he continued. "The series is still open, so we will try our best. The bowlers of both sides have been doing well. The wicket may have helped, but they have put the ball in the right places." Stephen Fleming, of course, was understandably happy, although he presented his regular poker-face to the questions being asked. "The win was very satisfying, another good game for us," he said. "The bowlers are in good form, they're confident, and they're making early inroads into the Indian batting. That has been the key to our wins." About his team's plans to chase 109, he said, "Nathan Astle said at lunch 'I'm going to have a dip," and he's an explosive batsman, so that's what he did - kick-start the innings. Then we could hang in there and grind away to win the match." Man of the Match Daryl Tuffey, in prime bowling form at the moment, said, "Things seem to be snowballing rather nicely, and we're bowling really well. But we have four games to go, and we will just try our best at the moment to win those."

Cairns still a possible prospect for ODIs Chris Cairns' appearance at New Zealand's net session at Jade Stadium has lifted hopes that he will take some part in the one-day series. While he did not play on his home ground on New Year's Day, Cairns had a light bowl and a bat in the nets as New Zealand prepared for the game. Cairns is recovering from keyhole surgery, the latest treatment on a knee that required more full-scale surgery last summer. The only appearance he has made for the Black Caps this year has been in the Super Max International at the start of India's tour. Cairns is looking to play a three-day match for the Canterbury A team and then possibly one or two State Shield matches before being available for the last two one-day internationals at Auckland and Hamilton midway through January.

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