Cricket: Aussies must win to stay in contention

By Richard Boock

DERBY - Australia will need to beat the West Indies at Old Trafford tomorrow to have any chance of qualifying for the second round of the cricket World Cup despite bolstering their net run-rate during a seven-wicket demolition of Bangladesh yesterday.

The Australians romped to the win with 30.2 overs to spare, hoisting their run-rate above New Zealand's and just below the West Indies' to keep alive their hopes of snatching the third qualifier's position in Group B.

New Zealand, who play Scotland in their last pool game on Monday, will have virtually secured their place in the Super Six if they managed to upset Group B leaders Pakistan overnight (NZ time), but may well need to win to order in Edinburgh if they do not.

If Australia beat the West Indies tomorrow by more than 14 runs or with more than three overs to spare, New Zealand would be eliminated as the run-rates stand at the moment.

But either a West Indies' win at Manchester or a runaway Kiwi win against Scotland would probably see Steve Waugh's men heading back to Sydney instead.

The West Indies also won handsomely yesterday, bowling Scotland out for 68 before winning with eight wickets in hand and now have the highest net-run-rate of the group, although still trailing Pakistan - to whom they lost in the group opener at Bristol.

In New Zealand's favour - even if they lost to Pakistan overnight - is that they are drawn to play a team they should beat in their last group match, and at a time when they will know precisely what they have to do to qualify.

Bangladesh batted capably enough at Durham's Chester-le-Street ground yesterday, but their 178 for seven in 50 overs was eclipsed in just 19.4 overs by the desperate Australians, who were obviously well aware of the need to boost their run rate.

Opening batsman Adam Gilchrist, who was told by his mother this week to do something about his technique, apparently took her advice and crashed 63 off 39 balls, before man-of-the-match Tom Moody slayed the Bangladesh bowlers for 56 off just 29 deliveries.

Moody, curiously playing in his first match at this World Cup, took three wickets in the Bangladesh innings, prompting questions about why he had not played a bigger role in Australia's campaign.

In Edinburgh, the West Indies made even shorter work of Scotland, dismissing the tournament newcomers for 68 in 31.3 overs, before knocking off the target in a mere 61 balls.

The Scots, like the Kiwis in Southampton, had no answer to the bowling of Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose, with wicketkeeper Ridley Jacobs joining in the fun with four catches, and Stuart Williams three.

Walsh ended with the superior figures, taking three for seven off seven overs, but Ambrose was just as difficult during his 10-over spell, in which he took two for eight.

Only two Scotland batsmen - Gavin Hamilton (24 not out) and Asim Butt (11) - made it to double figures, with the highest partnerships being 18 runs for the eighth wicket and 20 for the ninth. Scotland at one stage were 29 for seven.

The only Group B games left now are tomorrow's clash at Old Trafford, and the matches on Monday between New Zealand and Scotland, and Pakistan and Bangladesh.