Aussies meet Ireland today

BRIDGETOWN – Australia are poised to storm into the World Cup semi-finals without being seriously challenged as they take on debutants Ireland in their Super Eights match here on Friday.

The defending champions were not tested on their way to posting six successive victories, including three in the group. They look set to continue the trend, considering Ireland’s limited resources.Australia and New Zealand are the only unbeaten sides in the tournament with eight points from four matches and need just one more win to assure themselves of a place in the semi-finals.Ricky Ponting’s Australians have been playing quality cricket for more than a month.They may be meeting a winless Ireland, but looked in no mood to take the game lightly.When asked whether Australia were expecting a warm-up game on Friday, fast bowler Shaun Tait said: “No, it’s not a warm-up match.We have got to be at our top form.We take this game as seriously as against any other side.Australia will meet New Zealand and Sri Lanka in their last two matches.Australia’s batting has flourished in almost all the matches, with openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist providing solid starts and skipper Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke building the innings.They have not felt the absence of injured paceman Brett Lee as Tait has been performing consistently well along with veteran Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken.”I expected to have a good run at some time in the World Cup.It’s good to have success,” said Tait, who has so far grabbed 11 wickets in six matches in the Caribbean.Ireland may be searching for their first victory in the Super Eights, but have performed creditably against South Africa, England and New Zealand in their last three games.Ireland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the tournament when they beat former champions Pakistan in a group game in Jamaica last month and also tied their match against Zimbabwe.That they have earned their place in the second round was underlined by their impressive displays against the big teams.Ireland did manage to put pressure on South Africa, England and New Zealand but lacked the experience and resources to make the most of the opportunities.AFPThey look set to continue the trend, considering Ireland’s limited resources.Australia and New Zealand are the only unbeaten sides in the tournament with eight points from four matches and need just one more win to assure themselves of a place in the semi-finals.Ricky Ponting’s Australians have been playing quality cricket for more than a month.They may be meeting a winless Ireland, but looked in no mood to take the game lightly.When asked whether Australia were expecting a warm-up game on Friday, fast bowler Shaun Tait said: “No, it’s not a warm-up match.We have got to be at our top form.We take this game as seriously as against any other side.Australia will meet New Zealand and Sri Lanka in their last two matches.Australia’s batting has flourished in almost all the matches, with openers Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist providing solid starts and skipper Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke building the innings.They have not felt the absence of injured paceman Brett Lee as Tait has been performing consistently well along with veteran Glenn McGrath and Nathan Bracken.”I expected to have a good run at some time in the World Cup.It’s good to have success,” said Tait, who has so far grabbed 11 wickets in six matches in the Caribbean.Ireland may be searching for their first victory in the Super Eights, but have performed creditably against South Africa, England and New Zealand in their last three games.Ireland pulled off one of the biggest upsets in the tournament when they beat former champions Pakistan in a group game in Jamaica last month and also tied their match against Zimbabwe.That they have earned their place in the second round was underlined by their impressive displays against the big teams.Ireland did manage to put pressure on South Africa, England and New Zealand but lacked the experience and resources to make the most of the opportunities.AFP