In-form New Zealand end prep in style

That's it. The preparation is over. And thank goodness, could well be New Zealand's overriding emotion. The next time they score runs, take wickets and hold catches they will really matter.

But what a way to sign off before the main event. Dominating a South Africa team rated as likely finalists at least. There was no Dale Steyn or Hashim Amla and, of course, it was only a warm-up but it is certainly a nice final, big tick in the box (or, no doubt, Mike Hesson's notebook).

In truth the New Zealand players have felt ready to go for at least a week now. Ross Taylor made that pretty clear when he spoke a few days ago. The batting performance against Zimbabwe, when apart from Martin Guptill's 100 no one made more than 11, suggested these were matches they would rather not be playing.

That thought was banished, though, on a blustery but beautiful day at Hagley Oval - a ground that is looking every inch a World Cup opening-day venue. Melbourne will have the grandeur, the intimidation factor, the gladiatorial atmosphere, but Hagley offers the perfect antidote with white picket fences, grass banks and its tree-lined park.

New Zealand's total of 331 was set up by the domineering Brendon McCullum and sublime Kane Williamson, then everyone else who came to the crease contributed to some extent. New Zealand's recent success has been built on hundreds - down as far as No. 7 - but in this match it was probably more worthwhile for a volume of players to spend a final time in the middle before Saturday.

However, it was with the ball during the first half of South Africa's reply that the home side really stood out. It was almost as though McCullum had drilled into them the need for a final show of intensity - reducing South Africa to 62 for 6 was ample reward. "They were here to play today, no doubt about it. They had all cylinders firing," JP Duminy said.

Trent Boult led the way, reinforcing his standing as Tim Southee's new-ball partner with white as well as red ball, as he trimmed through the top order before finishing with 5 for 51. The biggest fear for a player at this stage so close to a World Cup starting is an injury, but there was nothing half-hearted or held back about his display.

Boult did, however, admit to a hint of relief at the prospect of starting the tournament. "A little bit," he said. "I think everyone is just excited to get into it. It has been a long time coming. We are really looking forward to Saturday and are eager to get stuck in."

There is probably just one spot in the final XI being debated over the next two days, the identity of the third seamer behind Southee and Boult. The suggestion is that it comes down to the experience of Kyle Mills, who bowled four overs here, and the pace of Adam Milne, who was rested, with Mitchell McClenaghan viewed as the outsider despite being joint second fastest to 50 ODI wickets.

"Everyone knows there's a good amount of competition among us bowlers," Boult said. "I enjoyed today but everyone came together nicely.

Whoever makes the final XI on Saturday morning will be playing in front of a full house, with supporters flush with expectation having watched their team grow over the last two years. This generation of New Zealand players and, perhaps, even any before them have never had quite this experience.

"We take it as a positive, it's great to be playing at home," Boult said. "We take it in our stride. It's all we can do. We aren't getting too wound up about it."

Pressure, what pressure, they might be saying, but not having a few nerves before that first ball would not be human.