Krizanic powers to final as Schraner suffers defeat
Australia will boast one player on finals day at the World Champion of Champions in Naenae with Carla Krizanic booking passage to the decider, while compatriot Lee Schraner has fallen just short of a gold medal match.
Following her exploits in the group stage, Krizanic had the luxury of a bye through the quarterfinal stage to await her next opponent, which would be Wales’ Melanie Thomas.
Thomas was able to overcome the Australian in the final pool match on Wednesday, with the first set being drawn and the second going the way of the European.
Krizanic commenced the rematch in sensational fashion, racing out to an early lead which would not be usurped as she claimed it 13-3.
The second was a fierce contest, as Thomas claimed an 8-4 buffer with just one end to play in the stanza.
However, Krizanic re-established why she is a Commonwealth Games and World Bowls Championships gold medallist as she scored a maximum count of four to tie the set at 8-8 and claim a well earned victory.
She will face New Zealand’s Tayla Bruce in the championship decider after the 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist came from behind to defeat American Anne Nunes 3-9 14-0 5-0.
Should Krizanic clinch the gold medal, she will join Kylie Whitehead, Karen Murphy, Natasha Van Eldik and Kelsey Cottrell as Australian conquerors of the tournament.
In the men’s tournament, defending champion Schraner fell to Malaysia’s Izzat Dzulkeple, who put in an inspired display under the Naenae canopy.
Dzulkeple, who participated for his nation in the men’s triples and fours disciplines in Birmingham earlier this year, was on fire in the opening set, handing the Australian just his third set defeat of the event with a 10-3 victory.
After going down 1-2 early in the second, the Malaysian was able to reel off five successive shots to boast a commanding 6-2 buffer.
Schraner was undeterred however, and continued to fight as he slimmed the margin to just one shot with an end to play, but Dulkeple proved too strong to finish off the 10-3 7-5 win.
The Malaysian will face four-time Commonwealth Games medallist Sam Tolchard for the elusive trophy.
Keep an eye out on Bowls New Zealand’s social media platforms and website to find out how you can view the knockout phases of the 2022 World Champion of Champions.
