GRENADA: CRICKET - New Zealand and Australia prepare for their Super Eights clash

New Zealand plan to put the Australian attack under the sort of pressure on Friday (April 20) they have faced only twice in the World Cup since losing 3-0 to the Kiwis in the Chappell-Hadlee series this year. Both teams have already qualified for the semi-finals but there will be no let-up in the final Super Eights match at the Grenada National Stadium in the intense rivalry between two countries who compete fiercely at cricket, both rugby codes and netball. New Zealand thrust aside all inhibitions to record two of the three highest run chases ever in February's one-day series against a side whose attack has only faltered against South Africa and England at the World Cup. South Africa reached 160 without loss chasing 378 to win the final Group A match and England were 164 for two in the Super Eights with Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen batting superbly. In both cases Ricky Ponting's men fought their way out of potential trouble with the help of a brilliant run-out from the boundary by Shane Watson against South Africa and a soft dismissal by Bell in the England match. New Zealand will take the field without all-rounder Jacob Oram, who has a bruised heel but is expected to be fit for next Tuesday's projected semi-final against Sri Lanka in Jamaica. Coach John Bracewell told a news conference on Thursday that James Franklin could be promoted from number nine to Oram's spot at number six. ""We'll I can't speak for Australia but we'll be going in with what we consider our strongest side for this particular game, bearing in mind that Jacob Oram will not be available because of his heel, he's got a bruised heel," said Bracewell. Michael Mason, who injured his calf against Bangladesh, is set to return while New Zealand could further strengthen their pace bowling by selecting Mark Gillespie instead of off-spinner Jeetan Patel. Patel bowled beautifully in last Saturday's victory over South Africa but New Zealand will be taking into consideration the probability of a bouncy pitch in Jamaica for the semis. Australia, who are scheduled to play South Africa in the second semi-final in St Lucia on Wednesday, received a boost on Thursday when Watson was cleared to play after missing the last three matches with a calf strain. He will replace batsman Brad Hodge. Ponting told a news conference on Thursday for his side the World Cup was just starting. "The anticipation now going into the semi-finals is really starting to build up and like I said the other day, the World Cup as far as I am concerned and as far as the team is concerned is not coming to an end, it's just starting for us, that's the way we approaching it," he said. Teams: Australia - Adam Gilchrist, Matthew Hayden, Ricky Ponting (captain), Michael Clarke, Andrew Symonds, Michael Hussey, Shane Watson,, Brad Hogg, Nathan Bracken, Shaun Tait, Glenn McGrath. New Zealand (from) - Peter Fulton, Stephen Fleming (captain), Ross Taylor, Scott Styris, Craig McMillan, James Franklin, Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Shane Bond, Michael Mason, Mark Gillespie, Jeetan Patel.

ITN Source | April 21, 2007

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