West Indies meet Australia in first ICC CWC 2007 Super 8 game

Australia, and now the West Indies, have advanced to the Super 8 stage of the ICC Cricket World Cup.

This means that the March 27 fixture at the brand new Sir Vivian Richards Cricket Ground in Antigua between D2 and A1 will indeed feature the hosts - the Windies - and the reigning CWC champions, Australia.

Having already won two out of their three Group Stage matches, both sides have earned their place in the second round of the competition.

Even if the West Indies top Group D, which would require a win against Ireland at Sabina Park on Friday, Brian Lara's team will retain the D2 designation assigned to them in the match schedule. This principle applies to all seeded teams.

The D1 spot in the Super 8s still hangs in the balance and will depend on the outcome of the two remaining matches. Ireland currently have three points and Zimbabwe, one point. If Zimbabwe beat Pakistan tomorrow (March 21), Ireland and Zimbabwe will have three points each. Ireland would then have to defeat the West Indies on Friday to assure themselves of the D1 position and a place in the Super 8s. If Ireland lose, the D1 slot will then be decided on the net run rate of the tied teams.

If Zimbabwe lose to Pakistan, then Ireland will automatically qualify for the Super 8s as D1, regardless of the outcome of Friday's game. However, the last Group Stage match will still be crucial as Ireland and the West Indies would be fighting for top spot in the group and the right to carry through two points to the second phase of competition.

The points won in a Group Stage match, against a team that also qualifies for the Super 8s, will carry over into the second round. Therefore, if it is Zimbabwe who advance in the D1 slot, the West Indies will start the Super 8s with two points as they beat Zimbabwe yesterday.

South Africa must beat Scotland today at Warner Park in St Kitts to be assured of their place in the continuing stage of the Event. Even if a win is secured against Associate team Scotland, the fixture on March 24 between Australia and South Africa at Warner Park, St. Kitts, is key for either team in order to bank points for the next round.