Indoor Cricket World Cup Day 5 Wrap
Australia remained undefeated in both the men's and women's divisions when the preliminary rounds of the Indoor Cricket World Cup concluded in Brisbane on Thursday night, but the hosts are set to face a stern test in the upcoming major semi finals.
The Australian men's side will take on New Zealand on Friday, while the women will clash with South Africa in a rematch of the 2007 World Cup final.
New Zealand locked away second spot on the men's ladder with a powerful 129-run win over Sri Lanka in the morning session before slumping to an 18-run loss in a tense night fixture against South Africa.
New Zealand came within 11 runs of the hosts when the two sides clashed on Sunday and Australia coach Ross Gregory was confident his side was not about to underestimate their trans-Tasman rivals.
"We are very pleased to go through undefeated, the only problem is we have to get our minds right for the finals now. The past two games have been a bit easier than I would have liked, and we've actually had a hard time of it," Gregory said.
"New Zealand are a good unit and it's going to be a difficult game, but we feel like we're up to the task."
Gregory, whose side made it eight wins from eight games with a 33-run win over Sri Lanka on Thursday, admitted he faced some tough selection headaches ahead of finals.
"We're travelling well (in terms of injuries), there are 12 players and only eight can take the court - and I feel like we?ve been a very even side the whole time."
"There will be (some players disappointed), and they've all played very well. It is going to be a very difficult job to pick the final side."
New Zealand captain Tim Papps was content to have earned the double chance in the finals.
"Finishing first or second was our goal when we came to this tournament, so we've done the first part of our job," Papps said after his side claimed all four skins from the game against Sri Lanka.
South Africa will tackle England in the men's sudden-death minor semi final, with the winner of that match to take on the loser of the trans-Tasman semi for a place in Saturday's grand final.
Australian Women warmed up for the finals with a crushing 122-run defeat of Wales, and there was plenty of excitement as the jockeying for the other finals positions went right down to the line.
New Zealand claimed a hard-fought 14-run win over South Africa, but having only taken one skin from that match, were unable to dislodge the South Africans from second spot on the ladder.
The South African women then eased to a 41-run over England and captain Hanri Strydom was confident her side could cause an upset on Friday.
"We are expecting a tough game from the Australians, but we haven't played at our best yet, so we are going to give them a go for their money," Strydom said.
"I don't think we lost against them (in the two preliminary rounds), I think we gave the games to them - we're getting a bit of our passion back and tomorrow will be a different day."
Wales (nine points) snuck into fourth place in front of England (eight points) after taking one skin away from their 67-run loss to New Zealand. The pair will meet again in the women's minor semi final.
Australia, defending champion in every division, also finished atop the standings in the 19 & Under Boys, 19 & Under Girls and 16 & Under Boys classes.
