Super Six clash provides perfect script for World Cup organisers

Not only will they be rubbing their hands together with glee but cricket lovers worldwide couldn't have asked for a closer, more competitive finale. Even though the Aussies look to be finding an extra yard coming into the final straight, the hard facts are that they must win tomorrow's potential blockbuster if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive.

Deservedly New Zealand has set the scene for tomorrow's marvelous encounter by producing one of the great run chases of this World Cup. If Australia do go down tomorrow the Kiwi's will most certainly be worthy of a place in the semi-finals as their effort today was an impressive effort under immense pressure.

They knew that they had to win today if they were to have any chance of progressing and they did it with an effort of admirable courage and competence. Knowing that the Indians are a brilliantly entertaining outfit who seemed unlucky not to be in the semi-finals themselves, New Zealand must be commended on today's gutsy performance.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Australians will have to be ready for a pre-World Cup final tomorrow because the South Africans will be determined to knock them out of the race before it really gets started.

If South Africa can come out with all guns blazing and apply as much pressure as possible, then my countrymen will have to be as equally well prepared for one of the toughest fights they would have experienced.

If they had a choice I am sure South Africa would rather face New Zealand or Zimbabwe in the semi-final, hence the added opportunity that has now presented itself for tomorrow.

For the favourites to release the talented and experienced Aussies from any further part in this tournament, they just have to beat them at Headingley starting in twelve hours' time.

From as objective a point of view as I can muster, I feel that Australia are certainly within the top four teams in this competition and therefore I hope for cricket's sake that they do progress beyond tomorrow. It seems strange that Zimbabwe will be a part of the semi-finals next week without having won a single game in the Super Sixes.

Although the rules of the competition will allow them to finish as part of the top four, I believe it will be a shame if Australia isn't with them next week. New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming stated this morning after the toss, "we need to win today by looking after our own back yards and letting the rest look after itself." In an almost identical scenario, Steve Waugh and his men have their destiny completely in their control.

By winning tomorrow they will not only progress into the semi-finals but they can also take an early psychological against the team they will most likely play in the final. That is of course if they are good enough tomorrow.

Not only will be New Zealand be waiting eagerly for the result come stumps tomorrow but the whole cricket following world can look forward to just one more Clash of the Titans, where the stakes are as high as we have seen in this one-day cricket Holy Grail.

Australia will be as desperate to win as South Africa will to see the back of them, providing the most perfect competitive spirit for a thriller at Headingley.

It will be hard to get me away from my lounge chair tomorrow and I get the feeling I won't be an orphan during the hours of eleven and six tomorrow.

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