South Africa and Australia eye cash incentive

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, Mar 23 (Reuters) Champions Australia and South Africa will also be playing for a large cash incentive when they meet in their World Cup Group D showdown in St Kitts tomorrow.

South Africa, the top ranked one-day team, and the side they knocked off their perch last month will be eyeing 175,000 dollars, which will be awarded to the number one team on April 1, an International Cricket Council (ICC) statement said yesterday.

The second-ranked team on that date will receive 75,000 dollars.

Both Australia, seeking to win their third World Cup in a row, and South Africa have already qualified for the Super Eights from Group A at St. Kitts.

The winners, however, would carry over two points for beating another team who qualify for the Super Eights.

A South African victory would stretch their lead on the rankings table to five points, while an Australian win would narrow the gap to less than a point.

The tournament ends with the final in Barbados on April 28.

Reuters DH VP0708