Intensity remains high for Cup contenders

Australia's final workout of the Super Eights against New Zealand might not have much significance to the make-up of the final four, but don't expect either side to treat the 47th game of the tournament as glorified training. While there will be some experimenting for the more intense days ahead, the unblinking gaze of both teams will not be broken by thoughts of next week.

Only a ridiculously huge victory by New Zealand could topple Australia from the top spot and even if it is achieved the southern hemisphere neighbours will be kept apart in the semi-finals. Both teams are already talking about their next opponents. Ricky Ponting has spoken of the dangers posed by South Africa in St Lucia and John Bracewell, the New Zealand coach, wants his side to improve their net run-rate so they can overtake Sri Lanka, move to second and get the better training times in Jamaica.

When the focus returns to Friday's match in Grenada it is impossible to discuss it without mentioning allrounders. Shane Watson's fragile body is ready for action after two weeks out with a calf strain, but Jacob Oram has succumbed to a heel problem. While the pair is crucial to the balance of the teams, there is another allrounder who is also being closely monitored.

Scott Styris has 435 runs at 108.75 in the Caribbean and when his eight wickets at 23 are mixed in he is a genuine contender for the player of the tournament. Ponting is aware of the problems Styris poses and has been impressed by the way he has anchored New Zealand's batting.

"These conditions suit the way he plays, the slower lower wickets," Ponting told AFP. "He plays spin pretty well. We've got a few things up our sleeve which we'll have to execute well against him and make sure he doesn't get away from us.

"What he has done in the tournament is bat for long periods. He might not have necessarily got his runs at a 100% strike-rate but he's been there and thereabouts, anchored their innings and played very well."

When it comes to Australia's potential run-scorers they are as well stocked as the nearby waters are with fish. Four of the top 15 batsmen at the World Cup are Australians, but the bowling is even more impressive with four of the leading nine. The individual success is a reason why they have extended their unbeaten streak in World Cups to 26 matches.

While Australia's swap of Watson for Brad Hodge requires only one change in the order, New Zealand have some restructuring to do to cover Oram. The preferred option seems to be to promote James Franklin three places to No. 6 so Brendon McCullum doesn't have to shift from seven.

"It's about making this seamless and I think James is really looking forward to the challenge of it," Bracewell told NZPA. "He's batted quite well for a long period of time for us - it's nothing new for him to bat in the middle order."

Bracewell is also considering bringing in the fast bowlers Mark Gillespie and Michael Mason to prepare them for possible use in the semi-final and final, which will be played on surfaces expected to assist the quick men. Jeetan Patel will be the unlucky one in Grenada if this method is followed.

"There's the temptation to prepare for the future, but there's also the reality of what needs to be done on Friday," Bracewell said. "We don't want to lose the momentum."

Ponting wants to use the match as a guide for Australia, who were beaten 3-0 by New Zealand the last time the teams met. "I'm looking forward to the game," Ponting said. "It will be a good indicator for both teams of where they are at."

Australia (probable) 1 Matthew Hayden, 2 Adam Gilchrist (wk), 3 Ricky Ponting (capt), 4 Michael Clarke, 5 Andrew Symonds, 6 Michael Hussey, 7 Shane Watson, 8 Brad Hogg, 9 Nathan Bracken, 10 Glenn McGrath, 11 Shaun Tait.

New Zealand (probable) 1 Stephen Fleming (capt), 2 Peter Fulton, 3 Ross Taylor, 4 Scott Styris, 5 Craig McMillan, 6 James Franklin 7 Brendon McCullum (wk), 8 Daniel Vettori, 9 Mark Gillespie, 10 Shane Bond, 11 Michael Mason.