PERTH, Australia (Reuters)
Stephen Fleming, New Zealand's captain, has admitted that his tailenders batted slowly to ensure that South Africa collected a bonus point in today's one-day international at Perth.

By doing so after defeat became inevitable New Zealand gave themselves their best chance of reaching the finals of the one-day series. South Africa now qualify automatically with 18 points, New Zealand have 17 and Australia 13. If Australia beat South Africa in the final qualifier on Sunday, but don't collect the bonus point for scoring at 1.25 times South Africa's rate, Australia and New Zealand will be level with 17 points - but New Zealand will progress as they won three of their four qualifying games against the Australians.

It was clear from the way New Zealand's lower order played that they wanted South Africa to earn a bonus point.

"It's disappointing it came to that," said Fleming, "but we had to look at survival and see how the rules apply."

The tame finish to the match ended what had otherwise been an enthralling day's cricket at Perth's WACA ground.

Jonty Rhodes, South Africa's most capped one-day player, scored his second one-day international century off 135 balls, while Shaun Pollock made 69 not out off just 34 balls and Mark Boucher 58.

Pollock belted six sixes, including four in a row off James Franklin, to race past his half-century in spectacular fashion as the Kiwis, playing without the injured Chris Cairns and Shane Bond, conceded 72 runs from the last five overs.

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