World Cup Cocktail

JP Duminy is a doubtful starter for South Africa's World Cup group game against West Indies after suffering a slight strain and will undergo a fitness test on the morning of the match to determine his availability. South Africa are already without Vernon Philander, who is four days into a 7-10 day recovery period after sustaining a hamstring strain.

Not only does Duminy prop up the middle order but he offers a bowling option as well. His off spin, which fulfills South Africa's fifth-bowler duties, may be handy on the SCG pitch and could be crucial in ensuring AB de Villiers does not commit another over-rate violation which would see him banned.

South Africa are deciding between Wayne Parnell or Kyle Abbott to replace Philander and may now need to look at a replacement batsman as well.

Tim Southee injured

New Zealand cricket has been rocked by another "underarm" incident, as friendly fire left spearhead Tim Southee nursing a shoulder injury less than 48 hours out from the World Cup blockbuster against Australia.

The tournament's leading wicket-taker was struck on the point of his right shoulder when fast bowling stable-mate Adam Milne lobbed an underarm throw which accidentally hit Southee when he wasn't looking during a fielding drill.

New Zealand great Daniel Vettori earlier warned Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc not to bounce him at Eden Park, but that was before the Black Caps realised they should be more worried about hurting themselves.

Word out of the New Zealand camp is he will be fine, but contrary to his teammate's initial reaction, the sight of Southee strewn on the ground in pain was no laughing matter.

Samuels escapes sanction

West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels will not be sanctioned over a "throat-slitting" gesture he made in his team's World Cup win over Zimbabwe, a source told AFP on Thursday.

Samuels appeared to run his thumb from one side of his throat to the other to mark his century in Tuesday's 73-run victory.

"The match officials have seen the incident and have decided not to lay a charge," said a source.

However, it's understood that the match referee did have an informal talk to the West Indian regarding the matter.

Samuels made an undefeated 133 and shared a 372-run stand with Chris Gayle, who became the first double centurion in World Cup history, in the Pool B game at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

'NZ are favourites'
– Steve Waugh

The Black Caps are at the peak of their powers and will be favourites to beat Australia in Saturday's World Cup Pool A match, Steve Waugh says.

 "New Zealand will be probably entitled to favouritism in this game, the way they've played," Australia's former skipper Waugh said.

"They've played three games so they're in the groove. They're probably confident and relaxed, at the peak of their powers.

"It will be a parochial home crowd in Auckland. It's very difficult place to play and win over there. Australia probably would be slight underdogs. I know the Kiwis would hate to think they're favourites but I think they're probably slight favourites for this game.

"They always like being the underdogs and coming from nowhere, so it would be nice to see them under a bit of pressure with the expectation to beat Australia and see how they handle that."    --Compiled