Australia will finish the preliminary rounds of the 2009 Indoor Cricket World Cup atop the standing in the womens division after yet another fine performance in Brisbane on Wednesday, but the jockeying amongst the other nations for the remaining positions in the finals is heating up.
The Australian women's teams extended their unbeaten run at the tournament to seven matches with victories over New Zealand in the morning session and South Africa at night.
The Australian women defeated New Zealand by 24 runs in a tight tussle before splitting the skins 2-2 in their 35-run win over South Africa.
Skipper Jude Coleman claimed figures of 2-3 before hitting a match-winning quarter-century, but was frustrated by her side's lack of discipline when bowling.
"We were happy to get top spot, but we weren't so happy with our performance tonight," Coleman said.
"They (South Africa) love to drive and we just over-pitched to them, or we were too short, and that's a little bit disappointing that we didn't learn from the other day."
Olivia Mango sustained a niggling injury and is unlikely to play against Wales in Australia's final pool game on Thursday.
The Welsh women provided one of the major upsets for the week with their 47-run disposal of England, a result that boosted the unheralded side into fourth spot on the standings.
They are now in the box seat to enter the finals while, as is the case with the men, South Africa (28 points from six games) and New Zealand (24 points from six games) will clash on Thursday in what is likely to be a playoff for the double chance in the finals that comes with second place.
The Australian youth sides also continued to shine on day four.
The 19 & Under Girls are sitting atop their respective standings.
