/ Editor / 23 April 2007 /

World Cup Semi Final 2 - Australia v South Africa, Wednesday 14.30

The two pre-tournament favourites meet not in the final that many predicted, but in a repeat of their famous 1999 semi-final. Australia and South Africa have reached the last four in contrasting fashion and the Aussies' total efficiency in qualification sees them trade at 1.4 to reach their fourth consecutive World Cup Final.

While Australia take an unblemished tournament record into this clash, the Proteas have had a mixed time, suffering heavy defeats to Australia and New Zealand and slipping up against Bangladesh.

They were more impressive in demolishing the West Indies and went some way to discarding their 'chokers' tag with a narrow win over Sri Lanka and a hammering of England in what was effectively a quarter-final. South Africa trade at 3.4 to overcome their fiercest rivals and reach their first ever final.

Australia really have been in a class of their own so far. They have overcome each of the other semi-finalists with ease and look a different team from the one that struggled against England and New Zealand in the run-up to the tournament. They trade at 1.99 to win their fourth World Cup.

The Aussies have the majority of their players in good form. Four of their batsmen average over 70 in the tournament and their four frontline bowlers have taken 74 wickets between them. Only Michael Hussey has under-performed, but the management will not be too concerned as he came into the tournament as the top-ranked batsman in the world and has been starved of proper opportunities so far.

The Baggy Green batting unit has taken its lead from the opening partnership of Matthew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. The rejuvenated Hayden has hit 580 runs at an average of 82.85 and seems sure to maintain his lead in the run-scoring charts. He trades as the 1.32 favourite in that market.

Gilchrist has been less prolific but has played an important supporting role. Australia have lost just two wickets in the opening 10 overs of the Super Eight matches, at an average of 142 and run rate of 5.62.

South Africa have scored at 4.22 runs per over and lost seven wickets at a cost of 36.85, which represents the second best opening partnership figures amongst the Super Eight teams. However, before punters check on the highest 10-over total or opening partnership markets, they should be aware that Graeme Smith and AB De Villiers put on 160 in the group phase clash between these two.

The Aussie left-handers have been the only openers to prosper against the new ball and the likes of Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke have not wasted that momentum. In fact there will be plenty of in-form stroke-makers on show - this match will feature four of the five highest One Day runscorers since January 2006.

It is therefore unsurprising that recent ODIs between these two have been full of runs. Their last six meetings, in South Africa last year and in the group stage of this tournament, have produced three wins apiece and average totals of 284 for South Africa and 272.3 for Australia.

This difference is due mainly to Australia's humbling at Cape Town, when they were dismissed for just 93. They have otherwise scored heavily, including a total of 377 at St Kitts that resulted in an 83-run winning margin.

That result made a mockery of South Africa's position at the top of the world rankings and, although Australia have since reclaimed it, the gap between the two did not seem as narrow as some had previously thought.

Having been matched previously at a high of 3.9 to small stakes, the Aussies' impressive showing in the Caribbean to date has seen them supported in to 1.99. They are clearly the more consistent outfit, but those who recall South Africa's amazing Johannesburg win last March might be tempted by their current odds of 5.9. The Proteas had been matched at a low of 4 prior to the tournament, due to the two teams' contrasting World Cup preparations.

Those hoping for a run feast might be disappointed that this match is being played at the Beausejour Cricket Ground in St Lucia. It was the venue for the Group C matches and offered a low, slow wicket that was not conducive to fluent strokeplay.

Spinners did find some turn on it, which is likely to suit Australia. The Proteas' lack of a frontline slow bowler has been one of their major weaknesses, which was confirmed when they were strangled by Bangladesh's trio of left-arm spinners in that 67-run defeat in Guyana. Smith only had his own occasional offspin to call upon.

Australia have Brad Hogg, who has been a revelation in the World Cup. He was not assured of a place in the squad for this tournament after falling behind Cameron White in the pecking order during a lean spell in the Commonwealth Bank Series, but he has responded with 19 wickets at an average of 15.21 and economy rate of 4.13.

Hogg has three less tournament victims than Glenn McGrath and is level with Muttiah Muralitharan and Shaun Tait. The Aussie spinner only had one wicket to show from his four previous appearances in the Caribbean but has flourished this time around. He is available at 10 to finish as the tournament's top wicket taker and at 3.95 to top the Australian bowling charts, with McGrath odds-on in both markets.

The South African bowling unit has struggled in comparison. Their seam bowling was their supposed strength, as Shaun Pollock and Makhaya Ntini came into the tournament ranked first and third in the world. They have only 13 wickets between them and average 40 and 48.83 respectively.

They came in for some heavy punishment from Hayden during his record-breaking ton and the Proteas' back-up pacemen might have to continue shouldering the burden. Only three five wicket hauls have been taken in this tournament and all have been picked up by South Africans: Charl Langeveldt against Sri Lanka, Andre Nel against Bangladesh and Andrew Hall against England.

Ntini was dropped for the England game but might earn a recall, with Langeveldt the most likely to make way. Their only injury concern is Smith, who missed training on Saturday after suffering a knock to his knee against England. The Aussies are full strength and were buoyed by Shane Watson's emphatic proof of fitness in his outing against the Kiwis.

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