The Hindu : Sport / Cricket : A jostle to avoid the fourth spot

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Friday, Apr 06, 2007
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A jostle to avoid the fourth spot

Georgetown: With Sri Lanka winning its game against England, South Africa faces the unpleasant prospect of facing Australia in the semifinals.

There is an unspoken jostling for positions between South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand in a bid to avoid the fourth spot in the Super Eight which concludes on April 21.

The fourth-placed team could be condemned to face the world champion in the semifinals in St. Lucia on April 25, an unwelcome prospect for any team in this World Cup.

Sri Lanka's close win over England on Wednesday has given it six points from four games and a net run-rate of +1.55. It puts Sri Lanka in second spot behind Australia which also has six points, but from three games. Australia's run-rate is the highest at +2.01.

New Zealand is currently third with six points from three games and a net run-rate of +1.44.

As of now, South Africa appears the fourth semifinalist as it has just four points from three games and a net run-rate of -0.35. However, it has four matches to ensure it does not meet Australia in the semifinals. Bangladesh (April 7), West Indies (April 10), New Zealand (April 14) and England (April 17) stand in its sights.

Tougher games

Compared to South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand have tougher matches to play, especially as they will come up against Australia on April 16 and April 20 respectively.

For South Africa, the ideal situation would be to win all its remaining four matches which should ensure that it avoids the fourth spot.

England's chances of making it through to the semifinals rested largely on winning against Sri Lanka but having lost the game, it now needs to defeat Australia to keep its hopes alive.

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