KEY POINTS:
MELBOURNE - England's boilover victory has lifted tensions in the New Zealand cricket dressing room but captain Stephen Fleming wouldn't have it any other way.
After 94 days on Australian soil, England's first win over the hosts this summer has thrown the tri-series wide open and placed huge importance on New Zealand's final two matches, starting here tomorrow against the world champions.
England's 92-run win in Sydney earned them a bonus point and drew them level with New Zealand on the points table, meaning the match between the two countries in Brisbane on Tuesday is a virtual semifinal.
But New Zealand are first intent on kicking Australia while they're briefly down at the Melbourne Cricket Ground tomorrow, with allrounder Andrew Symonds a likely absentee after straining a bicep last night.
"This is what we wanted, to be like a semifinal, a pressure game for us to continue the momentum we've built," Fleming said.
"If anything, we couldn't ask for much more. It's uncomfortable because we want to win these next two games, but we certainly don't want to miss out on the finals."
Fleming admitted surprise at England's turnaround as they rocked an Australia side without captain Ricky Ponting, absent with a hip injury but expected to return to lead the side tomorrow.
The Australian today newspaper greeted victory with a lead headline: "England breaks out of coma" -- but Fleming praised Andrew Flintoff's men.
"England played well, Australia not so good. Every team's been waiting for Australia to slip up.
"They've been so good through the summer that people were beginning to wonder whether they would, but England hit the pressure points and put a good performance together."
Fleming expected Australia to respond with a performance just as tough as the rest of the summer but with injury problems now starting to creep in it was a chance to apply some welcome pressure.
New Zealand have beaten Australia just once in their last 13 matches but have already come close in the tri-series, suffering an eight-run loss in Perth chasing 344, one week after losing by two wickets in Sydney.
"A lot of teams have been through it and if they do get into that injury spiral it'll be interesting to see how they react," Fleming said.
"They've got one or two at the moment, when you get to three or four you've got problems.
"A one-off result's not going to affect their confidence and affect the way they play but if we can make it two then three you start getting into areas of doubt, which is one area Australia haven't played much cricket in."
Both teams will be reshuffled, with Ponting expected to return along with key paceman Brett Lee, a regular nemesis for New Zealand.
Fleming was cagey about his side but two spinners are unlikely on an expected hard, fast pitch.
The fast bowling stocks will be shuffled between Melbourne and Brisbane, with most interest surrounding which game Shane Bond will play.
The argument for playing him tomorrow, against his favourite opponents, is sound after five days to rest his troublesome back, but he could also be kept fresh for the must-win in Brisbane.
Allrounder Scott Styris is expected to return, for Peter Fulton or Craig McMillan, but Fleming said he wasn't an automatic selection.
They will see how he comes through training today before making a decision on whether he's up to speed.
- NZPA
