Cricket World Cup: Quarter-final spots confirmed

Brendon McCullum's Black Caps have booked a quarter-final spot against the West Indies. Photo / Getty Images

After an enthralling period of pool play, the Cricket World Cup heads into the knock-out phases this week.

The quarter-finalists were finally determined yesterday after the West Indies beat the UAE and Pakistan ended Ireland's hopes.

The eight teams to make it through are New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and the West Indies.

South Africa take on Sri Lanka in the first match in Sydney on Wednesday, while New Zealand will play the last of the quarter-final games against the West Indies in Wellington on Saturday.

Here are the match-ups to look forward to in the coming days:

Wednesday, 18 March:
South Africa vs Sri Lanka, SCG, 4.30pm

Thursday, 19 March:
India vs Bangladesh, MCG, 4.30pm

Friday, 20 March:
Australia vs Pakistan, Adelaide Oval, 4.30pm

Saturday, 21 March:
New Zealand vs West Indies, Westpac Stadium, 2.00pm

The Black Caps' form suggests they'll be too strong for the West Indies, although stranger things have happened.

If they do win that game, however, Brendon McCullum's men will face the winner of the South Africa v Sri Lanka match at Eden Park on Tuesday, March 24.

The winners of the other two games will face each other on Thursday, March 26 at the SCG.

The final will be played at the MCG on Sunday, March 29.

New Zealand v West Indies clash

The Black Caps have been in great form during the Cup so far, winning six from six to finish top of pool A. The West Indies, on the other hand, have been patchy at best.

They lost to associate nation Ireland in their opening match, before bouncing back to hammer Pakistan by 150 runs in Christchurch. They then beat Zimbabwe, with their talisman, Chris Gayle, scoring a whopping 215. There followed losses to heavyweights South Africa and India before they managed to clinch a place in the last eight by beating the UAE in Napier yesterday.

Gayle didn't play in yesterday's match due to a back injury, but it looks as though he'll be fit for the New Zealand game on Saturday.

West Indies captain captain Jason Holder said Gayle's injury has been an ongoing one.

"He has good days, he has bad days, you know. Obviously he is a key player for us and his fitness is key going into the quarter-final. I'm sure he's up for it, even if he's not 100 per cent he will push through it."

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