Top spot still up for grabs

Australia have dominated the World Cup to date but top spot in the Super Eights is still just about up for grabs. Should New Zealand beat them by a big margin on Friday, in the penultimate match before the last four, then the Black Caps could pip them and secure a potentially easier semi-final for themselves.

Well though New Zealand have played at times, that still seems very unlikely and bet365 make them 2/1 (3.00) for the match, with Australia 2/5 (1.40) favourites.

The Black Caps will fancy their chances, having had some success against their neighbours in recent times, winning four of the past 10 meetings between the two.

The thing is, even if New Zealand did manage to win, it really wouldn't make that much difference. Win and they would play South Africa, lose and they would face Sri Lanka, and since there is not much to choose between them, it's really just a matter of preference.

Normally, these matches are a write-off but Australia appear to be slightly superstitious about things and definitely want to go through the competition unbeaten, so we can take it that they will be absolutely professional on Friday.

Captain Ricky Ponting is the 11/4 (3.75) favourite to be his side's top runscorer, while Adam Gilchrist and Matt Hayden are next at 7/2. Michael Clarke is 5/1, Andrew Symonds 13/2 and Michael Hussey 15/2.

For New Zealand, skipper Stephen Fleming is the 3/1 favourite, with Scott Styris 7/2 and Ross Taylor 4/1.

Peter Fulton was 5/1 and Hamish Marshall is 13/2, with Craig McMillan 7/1.

Just one injuries note - A heel problem will keep Jacob Oram out of the match so New Zealand's lower order is not quite as strong as it has been and indeed should be in the semi-finals, which take place on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week.