New Zealand and the United States will square off in a headline opening night fixture at the men's world softball championship in Canada in July.
The three-time defending champion Black Sox face a stiff test on July 18 when the 16-nation tournament begins at Saskatoon.
Both teams have won five
International Softball Federation tournament titles, although the US have struggled in recent campaigns while New Zealand have dominated, winning four of the six titles contested since 1984 and finishing runners up in two.
New Zealand have been drawn in pool A, which also features the powerful Japan - their final round-robin opponents on July 24. The other pool matches are against Britain, Philippines, Botswana, Denmark and Mexico.
Canada and Australia are the leading teams in pool B. The top four teams from each pool go to the playoffs from July 25-27.
Black Sox coach Eddie Kohlhase was pleased with the outcome of the draw.
"They [US and Japan] are certainly two sides who will provide a significant challenge for us," Kohlhase told the Press newspaper.
"We couldn't have asked for a better draw than the US first-up on opening night in the main game."
The 17-strong New Zealand squad will attend a training camp in Auckland. Canterbury infielder Travis Wilson is training in Tennessee and will join the Black Sox in Toronto for the pre-championships tour.
Kohlhase said Auckland outfielder Donny Hale (Japan), pitcher Jeremy Manley and outfielder Ben Enoka (both US) will play for their overseas clubs before the world championships.
* Pools
POOL A: New Zealand, United States, Japan, Britain, Philippines, Botswana, Denmark, Mexico
POOL B: Canada, Australia, Czech Republic, Argentina, Venezuela, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Indonesia
* New Zealand schedule
July 18: v United States
July 19:v Britain
July 20:v Philippines
July 21:v Botswana
July 22:v Denmark
July 23:v Mexico
July 24:v Japan
July 25-27:playoffs
- NZPA
