New Zealand downed world champions Australia in a 10-inning  quarter-final thriller at the world softball championship in Auckland on  Friday.

The win means the Black Sox retain their two playoff lives  and now face a showdown with either Canada or Venezuela on Saturday, with the  winner progressing directly through to Sunday's final.

Australia will play Japan in a sudden-death match after the  Japanese beat Samoa 4-2 earlier on Friday.

The Australians struck early against the Black Sox, with  home runs to Jeff Goolagong at the top of the second and fourth  innings.

But New   Zealand found form with a vengeance in the bottom  of the fourth, with a Brad Rona homer also bringing in Tyson Byrne to level the  scores.

The Black Sox hit the front in the bottom of the fifth, a  Nathan Nukunuku single bringing home Kiwi skipper Rhys Casley.

However, the Australians levelled the scores soon after when  Joel Southam batted in Mark Harris to send the game into a tie break.

Pinch runner Joel Southam came home for Australia in the top  of the 10th inning, but then Rona brought Tyron Bartorillo in and barged over  home plate himself off Ben Enoka's slap to centre field for a thrilling  victory.

NZN