West Indies 'not tough enough'

According to Stephen Fleming, New Zealand aren't looking past the final Test against West Indies to their series of three in South Africa that starts in three weeks time. But the captain has made it plain that his team can only properly judge where it stands in the scheme of things by proving itself against stronger opponents than they have already beaten in two Tests in the past couple of weeks here.

"We haven't got one eye on South Africa; we've got both eyes firmly on the next Test," Fleming said after New Zealand's victory by ten wickets in the second Test at Wellington on Monday, an unprecedented fifth in succession following one win over Sri Lanka and two over Zimbabwe last year.

But he implied that West Indies did not presently offer the necessary challenge to carry New Zealand to the top level that is his aim. "We've found the brand of cricket being played by the tougher teams in the world which don't give you second chances," he said. "At the moment, we're in a bunch with the West Indies when you do get second chances, when there are mistakes being made in the field, batting, bowling and every facet."

It was a harsh comment but hardly unfair, especially given West Indies' shoddy allround performance in their heavy defeat in the second Test.

New Zealand have retained the same squad of 13 chosen for both preceding Tests. They are hoping, rather than confidently expecting, their main strike bowler, Shane Bond, to return to the team. Bond was the Man of the Match in the tight first Test in which he dismissed Brian Lara in each innings with the only two balls he bowled to him. But he withdrew from the second Test with a stomach virus on the morning of the match and has not yet fully recovered. It is the second time this year Bond has been stricken by a virus. He lost six kilos in weight following a similar illness in January but was outstanding in the first Test.

Now 30, Bond has been limited to 13 Tests since making his debut four years ago by a back injury that required surgery. But he has reported no recurrence since returning in the series in Zimbabwe last September.

West Indies remained in Wellington yesterday but were confined to indoor practice by persistent rain that also drenched this seaside town, 250 kilometres to the north east on the north island. The weather might become a factor in the preparation of the pitch as more rain is forecast for tomorrow.