Teams jostle to keep Aussies out of semis

South Africa, Sri Lanka and New Zealand are trying hard to avoid the fourth spot in the super eight matches which conclude on April 21.The team on fourth spot would have to face Australia in the semi-finals in St. Lucia on April 25, a not-so appealing prospect for any team in this World Cup.

The Aussies have the top spot in the table with six points from four games and a net run-rate of +2.01. The Lankans are now in the second spot after their close win over England with six points from four games and a net run-rate of +1.55. New Zealand is hanging on to the third spot with six points from three games and a net run-rate of +1.44. They don’t appear to be worried too much though because the number two or three spot in the table would only mean that they don’t have to face the marauding Aussies in the semi-finals. 

It is South Africa who now appears to be poised for the fourth semi-finalist spot. They have just four points from three games and a net run-rate of -0.35. There is a certain amount of unease in the South African camp now that they face the unpleasant task of meeting Australia in the semi-finals. Such a match would not only revive the nightmare of thrashing they received in the group stage from the Aussies but also the painful memory of 1999 semi-finals when they crashed out after a tied finish with the same team. 

South Africa now has four matches remaining to avoid meeting Australia in the semifinals. They have matches with Bangladesh (April 7), West Indies (April 10), New Zealand (April 14) and England (April 17) to negotiate. One silver lining for South Africa is that both Sri Lanka and New Zealand, the other two likely semi-finalists, would face Australia in the Super Eight stage. South Africa could avoid the fourth spot if they don't lose any game from now on. Barring upsets, which nobody foresees at present, England and the West Indies would not make it to the last, four stages.