Australia are undoubtedly a talented side, but a lot of their victories have been based on subduing the opposition with their brash and bullying approach, thus giving them no chance of recovery. I wonder if the South Africans can turn tables on Oz later today by giving them a taste of their own medicine. Winning the toss and batting first would be a big help to do this because Smith & Co can then use their own aggressive approach like they did against England and try to catch the Australian fielders off guard. If put under pressure early, the holders might look less invincible.

Australia will win comfortably.

South Africa can challenge the Aussies today.As Nostromo pointed out,if South Africa play attacking cricket like they did against England,they can put pressure on them.But Australia aren't quite England.England have got only a single good bowler but Australia have Tait,Hogg & McGrath to put pressure on them.

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Karthik Venkatesan

Unfortunately South Africa's challenges usualy only last for about half a game. Australia exerts pressure all the time.

Well, it lasted a bit longer last year in Johannesburg. But you are right to the extent that the Proteas' rearguard action seems to have gone with Lance Kluesener. Then again, if the current team play with a bit more self-belief (something that the Aussies always seem to have in abundance), I think they are capable of beating the holders. Ntini's form may be a very important factor - he has not bowled anything like his best thus far in the tournament. If he really fires along with Pollock's accuracy, Hall's guile and Nel's inspired breakthoughs, South Africa have more than an even chance of an upset.

I still feel that the overall winner of the Cup will be the winner of today's semi-final.

You seem to have a short memory Acker. Why dont you look at the last 5 match series between SA and Aus. You will see that Aus were thumped in the series. (Ok the score was 3-2 but it should have been 4-1, with Australia scraping home in 2 of the games). Anyway, I bought the DVD for the series and I must say that I truly enjoyed re-watching the series. 2 Games in particular come to mind. 1) the absolute walloping the Ausies received in CT. Aus were actually 7-4 at 1 stage and lost the game by 196 runs. 2) The memmorable 438 game (see my sig for more details ).

My thoughts on the game.

Firstly, I am a die hard SA fan but even I do not think SA will win today. I believe that SA can beat Aus but I do not think that this will happen today. Last time the 2 teams met, it looked like Aus had prepared better. In fact when Hayden was carting the SA bowlers all over the park, it looked like Smith had no plan to try and stop the carnage. Tactically Aus are far better than SA and I feel that today, the match will be won tactically. I hope that SA will have a plan. We specifically need a plan for Hayden and Ponting ( Not too sure if even a plan can stop these 2 in their current form). Mickey Arthur lacks in this department. Also, why is Prince and Kemp playing. I would have played Bosman as the Aussies have not seen much of him. He should have been given a run ahead of Prince or Kemp.

SA will need to win the toss and bat first. I have looked at the totals at this ground in the previous games ( I am not sure if they are playing on the same strip though) and the average 1st innings score is 260. Also NZ have scored over 300 on 2 occassions. Given this, I feel SA will need at least 280. But if Gibbs comes off, perhaps 480

We will then need to bowl very accurately witt a plan to Hayden. If we can somehow get Ponting and Hayden out early, we may just have a game on.

Key players.

Personally, I do not see Tait as a threat, especially up front, in fact up front he may just help to kick start SA's innings. Irrespective of what the stats tell you SA are very good players of fast bowling ( check our record against Lee and Bond ) and thus Tait will get smashed all over the park.

On the other hand, Hogg is the major threat. Gibbs has in the past taken Hogg apart so hopefully by the time Hogg comes on, Gibbs will be set. de Villiers, Kemp, Polly, Prince and even Smith do not play Hogg well. Gibbs will need to hit him out of the attack.

McGrath, I do not see him as a major threat but he will be difficult to get 6 per over from. I do not think that he will take more than 1 wicket. AB seems to play McGrath very well.

Bracken, another threat. For me , he is very underated. SA should be careful when taking him on.

5th bowler, Andrew "rubbish" Symonds and Shane "Pie Chucker" Watson. These 2 will no doubt go for 7 or more per over.

SA need to taget Tait upfront and when McGrath comes on to replace him, they should target him as well. SA did this well in the previous game. Gibbs should bat no3 and if he is there when Hogg comes on to bowl, he should take him on.
I think that the bowling figures of the Australians in this tournament are a bit flattering. I do not think that their attack is that great. SA showed in the group stage meeting that all the bowlers bar Hogg can be attacked. The pressure of maintaining 8 per over in that chase is what led to the wickets, not "great" bowling. Yes, Tait is good with the old ball but if "proper" batsman are at the crease when he returns to bowl at the death, he will go for plenty. Tait only troubles tail enders.

I think the Aussies will rightfully target Pollock and Langeveldt. I believe that Boucher should stand up to the wickets from ball 1 for Polly. We saw yesterday how effective Vaas was with Sangakkara up. Hall has been bowling well, so the aussies may not go after him.

the 5th bowler for SA is a problem and if Kallis or Smith and Kemp fill this role, they may be smashed by the Aussies. However, Kallis has not been bowling that badly.

Anyway, lets wait and see. Anything can happen. Perhaps the Australian "luck" against SA will run out here and an important 50/50 will go SA's way this time. Who knows.

Finally, I was very impressed with Sri Lanka yesterday and based on that performance, I believe that Sri Lanka can in fact win the WC even if Australia make the final. Their bowling really impressed me, they kept tight lines and Malinga at times looked unplayable. They do have a very balanced attack and they do have options. Then of course they have Murali. Fernando disappointed yesterday, so perhaps Maharoof can come in.

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434, world record for the shortest period. Whos choking now?

I heard that Nel is injured. Can anyone confirm this.

This is a huge blow for SA. Ntini will come in. Perhaps he could make the difference as he will be fired up and wanting to prove a point. I remember last time they dropped him, I think against England, he came back and put in a great performance. May just be a blessing in disguise. Why could Prince or Kemp not get injured.

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434, world record for the shortest period. Whos choking now?

No, Gibbs Fan, Nel is in, but I am surprised that they have kept Langeveldt instead of risking Ntini. I thought the Zulu might be fired up a bit.

SA have won the toss and Smith has chosen to bat. Hope that is a good decision.

Bracken takes Smith out of the equation for just 2 runs... Australia have the early advantage.

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Frank Skinner: "You know when Glenn McGrath trod on that cricket ball? Don't you wish it would've been a landmine?"

and now Kallis is gone to McGrath... South Africa in trouble here.

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Frank Skinner: "You know when Glenn McGrath trod on that cricket ball? Don't you wish it would've been a landmine?"