Aussies top all divisions at World Cup

Paul Milo, Cricket Australia's Indoor Cricket Manager, recaps day three of the WICF Open World Cup in Wellington. 

Australia’s indoor cricketers have made a superb start to the World Indoor Cricket Federation with all four teams finishing top of their divisions after three days.

Day three of the WICF World Cup was billed as "Ashes battle day" by tournament organisers, with Australia meeting traditional outdoor cricket rivals England in three crucial fixtures.

Despite missing captain Lyle Teske, who was rested ahead of what will be a gruelling two days of triple headers leading into the finals, the Open Men made light work of their English opposition, posting 131 to set up a big victory.

Ash Doble led the way with bat and ball for the Open Ladies against South Africa, her contribution headlining a sensational all-round team performance that saw Australia remain undefeated and well on track for a finals berth.

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The U/20 boys were involved in one the best matches of the tournament thus far; with victory over the highly-fancied New Zealand 139 – 107 early in the day before overcoming a NZ A side 122 – 120.

After going down to New Zealand on opening night, the Australia U/20 girls side made amends on day three with a 142 – 66 victory over their trans-Tasman rivals and a comfortable 177 – 41 win over England.

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PLAYER OF THE DAY

Liz Hall from the Open Ladies took home the honours on day three after featuring in the two highest partnerships in the Ladies’ twin wins (42 v South Africa with Doble and 56 with Martin v England).

RESULTS

Open Men: d England 131 v 22. Bennett/Byrne 31, Rice/MacDougall 43, Floros/Perkins 21, Thomas/Jones 36

Open Ladies: d Sth Africa 130 v 63. Doble/Hall 42, Coleman/Carson 31, Iles/Polkinghorne 36, Kemp/Peschel 21

Open Ladies: d England 186 v 38. Shaw/Turner 47, Martin/Hall 56, Iles/Coleman 49, Koski/Peschel 34

U/20 Boys: d NZ 139 v 107. Dowse/Diener 43, Keys/Battaglene 31, Hoarau/Cooper 49, Taylor/Schubert 16

U/20 Boys: d NZ (A) 122 v 120. Pederson/Diener 27, Floros/Burrowes 28, Cooper/Hoarau 38, Keys/Oakley 29

U/20 Girls: d NZ 142 v 66. S.Dixon/Paton 40, Leeson/M.Dixon 27, Nagle/Oates 39, Lascau/Edgar 36

U/20 Girls: d England 177 v 41. S.Dixon/Edgar 50. Hayes/Hewitt 37. Nagle/Squires 39. M.Dixon/Paton 51

STANDINGS

Open Men: Australia (38), NZ (38), Sth Africa (38), NZ(A) (29), India (12.5), England (11.5), Singapore (1)

Open Ladies: Australia (33), NZ (28), Sth Africa (15), Wales (8), England (0)

U/20 Boys: Australia (29), NZ (21), NZ(A) (21), Sth Africa (6)

U/20 Girls Australia (30), NZ (30), England (15), Sth Africa (2)