Softball: White Sox test mettle against top field

By JULIE ASH

The New Zealand women's side head to Australia today to check on their progress before the world series in July.

The White Sox will compete in the South Pacific Classic, one of their last major internationals before the world series in Saskatoon, Canada.

The tournament features Australia, China, and a team from the Australian Institute of Sport.

"All these teams are certainly world class," coach Mike Walsh said.

"Both of the Australian teams will be hard - they have a lot of depth and they have really just split the squad into two teams - and China will be up there.

"Australia and China are in the top four in the world. We are expecting some tough competition, which is exactly what we want. We want to measure ourselves and see how far we have come."

Auckland's Pip McKenzie and Canterbury's Kim Dermott were unavailable for the side because of knee injuries.

Wellington's Rebecca Brunton, called in to replace Dermott, is the only new cap in the side.

Amy Stead has also received a late call-up, replacing the injured Api Stone-O'Kane.

Walsh said the tournament was the players' last chance to secure a world series spot.

"We will be looking for an improvement in performance from the players individually and as a team," he said. "We know there has been improvement in the team - that was shown in Sydney.

"Now we just have to keep working. At the South Pacific Classic we need to implement the philosophy we want to take through to the world series."

Despite a lack of competition - the White Sox have not played an international this year after Korea pulled out of a planned visit - Walsh said he was happy with his team's progress.

"I have seen them regularly," he said. "All the top players have been involved in national provincial championships and the national club championships, and I am happy with the way things are going."

The South Pacific tournament starts on Sunday with New Zealand's first game against China, who finished fourth at the Sydney Games, two places ahead of the Kiwis.

The play-offs are scheduled for Saturday, April 20.

New Zealand finished out of the top 10 in the last world series, but go into this year's event ranked sixth after their performance at the Sydney Olympics.

Before the world series the White Sox will compete in the Canada Cup, a major international tournament, in California.

New Zealand team: Michelle Kingi (Auckland), Ruta Lealamanua (Wellington), Sheree Cartwright (Canterbury), Togi Lote (Wellington), Cindy Potae (Hutt Valley), Fiona Timu (capt, Auckland), Amy Stead (Wellington), Char Pouaka (Canterbury), Rhonda Hira (Canterbury), Upu Lote (Wellington), Melanie Hulme (Canterbury), Kalala Faalogo (Auckland), Nicole Stevenson (Wellington), Rebecca Brunton (Wellington), Zavana Aranga (Hutt Valley).