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The heat is on New Zealand

PUNTER IS BACK: Australia will look to skipper Ricky Ponting, who missed Friday's match due to a hip injury, to continue its fine run. — Photo: AP

SYDNEY : England's surprise win over Australia has left New Zealand under pressure to make the tri-series finals, but Kiwi skipper Stephen Fleming could not be happier with the scenario.

New Zealand looked to be assured of joining the Australians in the finals after beating England for the second time in Perth on Tuesday but England's unexpected win has breathed new life into the series.

New Zealand plays Australia on Sunday but the battle for the last place in the finals is now poised to come down to Tuesday's match against England in Brisbane.

``This is what we wanted,'' Fleming told reporters on Saturday. ``We want it to be a semifinal, a pressure game, where we continue the momentum we build.''

Early test

New Zealand and England are both desperate to make the finals and Fleming said the extra pressure would be an early test before the World Cup, starting in the West Indies next month.

``That's what the World Cup's about, so if anything we couldn't ask for much more,'' Fleming said.

``It's uncomfortable because you want to win these next two games, but we certainly don't want to miss out on the finals so we've got to play accordingly.''

New Zealand twice came close to beating Australia this series, including losing a high-scoring match in Perth by just eight runs last weekend, but vice-captain Daniel Vettori said the key was turning those narrow losses into wins.

Close games

``I feel like it's important to beat them now. We've had a couple of close games when things have let us down a little bit,'' Vettori said.

``If we win here then we actually get some confidence going into the finals, then on to the World Cup.

``There is confidence in the camp but confidence is not much good if we put up a performance that doesn't warrant it.''

Meanwhile, Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been cleared to play. He missed his team's 92-run loss to England in Sydney on Friday because of a hip problem.

Australia has also swapped two fast bowlers, with Brett Lee and Mitchell Johnson replacing Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken as part of the World champions' ongoing rotation policy.

Ponting will replace all-rounder Andrew Symonds, who is to undergo surgery after rupturing the biceps tendon in his right shoulder.

``Symonds has ruptured the biceps tendon in the right shoulder and will receive surgery to repair the tendon,'' team doctor Trevor James said.

``Andrew will certainly miss the remainder of the Commonwealth Bank Series and will undergo intensive physiotherapy following surgery,'' he said.

The return of Symonds, who suffered the injury while batting against England in Sydney on Friday, would depend on his recovery, team doctor Trevor James said.

``His return to cricket will depend on his progress,'' James said.

The player himself was not sure about the seriousness of the injury.

``We won't know how bad this injury is until after surgery. I felt it go during the game but I didn't realise how bad it was. I batted on but the pain was considerable and I was advised by team physio Alex Kountouris to come off.

``I feel optimistic about the future because I know I'm a good healer — my wrist injury healed quicker than expected and is fine now. I'll do whatever it takes to get back as quickly as possible,'' the Queensland cricketer said.

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