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| Semi-final:Australia v South Africa |
| Australia thrashed South Africa in a one-sided semi-final and will meet Sri Lanka in a re-match of the 1996 final
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| UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
, 25-April-2007
15:21:53 PM |
| South Africa's top order imploded as Glenn McGrath (3-18) reduced them to 27-5. Shaun Tait (4-39) mopped up the lower order despite Justin Kemp's 49.
All out for 149 in 44 overs, South Africa were clutching at straws.
And Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke led an unflustered run chase as Australia cruised to victory, winning by seven wickets in the 32nd over.
Clarke finished unbeaten on 60, and Andrew Symonds hit the winning runs with a drive through mid-wicket for four to cap another foot-perfect performance from Australia.
But after so much eager anticipation ahead of the match, it was disappointing to see South Africa bundled out for their lowest score in World Cups.
It was the third time they had been defeated in the semi-finals and they have never gone any further.
Graeme Smith was delighted to win the toss and bat first on a wicket expected to get slower as the game developed.
He also said he had "never seen such a confident South African squad".
But that bullish feeling was in shreds when first he, and then the hugely-experienced Jacques Kallis, were bowled inside the first six overs.
Despite obvious swing on offer for both Nathan Bracken and McGrath - surprisingly opening the bowling ahead of Tait - Smith was keen to take charge.
He had only faced four balls when he sashayed down the wicket to Bracken, only for the ball to move off the seam and peg back his off-stump.
Kallis had been goaded by the Aussies in the run-up to the match, skipper Ricky Ponting claiming he scored too slowly.
Perhaps affronted, he backed away to hit one boundary through the covers off McGrath, but fatally attempted a similar shot the following ball to a delivery of much fuller length.
It careered into his stumps and South Africa were 12-2.
AB De Villiers enjoyed some success pulling the short ball but was next back to the pavilion after edging Shaun Tait behind.
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