Dont expect any favours from us, New Zealand warns South Africa

Pace-setter New Zealand has warned a struggling South Africa not to expect any let-up when the teams go head to head in the ICC Women’s World Twenty 2009 tournament on Monday.

The White Ferns are almost certain of qualification after crushing Australia and West Indies but coach Gary Stead said his side was determined to make it three out of three in Group A.

“We’re pretty much sure of reaching the semi-final now but it’s still a very important game. Winning keeps up the momentum and it will also mean an easier route to the final.

“If we top our group we will take on the second place team from Group B at Trent Bridge. The way things look, that would mean us missing England. They are a very good side and we think we’d rather play India or Sri Lanka in the last four.”

New Zealand reached the final of the ICC Women’s World Cup in March but lost out to England, who also beat it in a warm-up match here.

But Stead’s side has looked hugely impressive in its two opening wins, particularly in the nine-wicket thrashing of the highly fancied Australians.

Stead said he was considering some changes against South Africa but added: “There will be nothing silly. You still have to win the game.

“We may look at the batting order to give some of our batters who haven’t had much of a knock more of an opportunity. Katey Martin, for instance, hasn’t even got out to the middle. We have to look at trying to get more than our top two or three players in good form. We’ve also got to work on our death bowling.”

The New Zealand top order has been hugely impressive, with skipper Aimee Watkins hitting 73 off 51 balls against Australia and Suzie Bates hammering 60 off 36 against West Indies to take her tournament average to 101.

The South Africans, though, will be determined to put up a show on Monday to keep its tournament hopes alive after its opening loss to the West Indies.

“That defeat hurts a lot. We weren’t clever and played tentative cricket,” said skipper Sunette Loubser. “We really should have won.

“We have the talent, but talent does not win you games. Our top six has got to start firing against New Zealand – they need to bat, that’s the only reason they are in the side. Our girls can hit it but no one has seen it yet.

“New Zealand has got some big hitters as well but they can only hit it if we bowl in the wrong areas. We were pretty down after the West Indies game but we will give it everything we have got.”

New Zealand is at the top of Group A ahead of West Indies and South Africa. Australia is in fourth and last position but is still expected to win its last two games to make sure of qualification to the semi-finals.

The ICC World Twenty20 2009 involves 12 of the top men’s teams and the top eight women’s line-ups playing at four venues – Lord’s, The Oval, Trent Bridge and Taunton – in the pinnacle of international cricketing action.

The defending men’s champion is India, which beat Pakistan in the final of the inaugural event, in South Africa in 2007. This is the first staging of the women’s tournament.

A limited number of tickets are still available for the ICC World Twenty20 2009. Further details can be found at: https://eticketing.co.uk/iccwt20