Having ruthlessly swept aside all opponents, including Sri Lanka, their rivals in waiting for this World Cup final, Australia were finally expected to be given a real test in their semi-final match against South Africa at Beausejour Stadium, St Lucia on 25th April, 2007.

Instead, Australia took the Proteas apart with a facile seven-wicket victory, thus extending their unbeaten World Cup run to an incredible 28 matches, stretching back to 1999. South Africa have now taken part in three semi-finals since 1992 but have yet to make the final.

Having won the toss, South Africa elected to bat first in the belief that they could set a daunting target for the Aussies. But the Proteas were effectively out for the count after Glenn McGrath and Shaun Tait destroyed their top order, reducing them to a pathetic 27-5.

The destruction was awesome: Graeme Smith out for 2; AB de Villiers for 15; Jacques Kallis for 5; Ashwell Prince and Mark Boucher for a duck each. South Africa's capitulation would have been truly humiliating if it had not been for a fine 60-run partnership between Herschelle Gibbs (39) and Justin Kemp (49 not out). 

All-rounder Kemp was particularly impressive but even his valiant efforts could not prevent his side recording their lowest ever World Cup score. McGrath took his wicket tally for the tournament to 25, beating the record set by Chaminda Vaas four years ago. 

South Africa's total of 149 all out caused no concern whatsoever for Australia's top order, despite the loss of Adam Gilchrist for just one run and Ricky Ponting's surprise early departure with only 22 on the board.

Matthew Hayden hit 41 and Michael Clarke an impressive 60 not out while Andrew Symonds blasted 18 runs as Australia cruised to a total of 153-3 with almost 20 overs remaining.

Having thrashed an admittedly below-strength Sri Lanka in their Super Eight encounter, Australia will go into Saturday's final at the Kensington Oval, Barbados, as long odds-on favourites to lift the trophy yet again. It will take a superhuman effort from Sri Lanka to stop this particular juggernaut.

Article by Julian Armfield, BBC World Service Sport, reporting for Totally Barbados

Article Posted On:
April 27th, 2007

http://www.totallybarbados.com/barbados/Entertainment/Sports/Cricket/