Australia routs Proteas
From Greg Buckle in Gros Islet, St Lucia
April 26, 2007 AUSTRALIA has produced another brutal display at the Cricket World Cup, dismissing South Africa for 149 before coasting to a seven-wicket victory in the semi-final at Gros Islet, St Lucia, today.
Shaun Tait starred with the ball for Australia, taking a career-best haul of 4-39 in his 14th limited-overs international, while veteran Glenn McGrath reclaimed his position atop the list of wicket-takers in a World Cup, picking up 3-18 as the Proteas crashed to their lowest score in a Cricket World Cup game.
McGrath, who will retire after the final against Sri Lanka in Barbados on Sunday (AEST), has 25 wickets in the tournament, two more than Sri Lanka pair Muttiah Muralitharan (2007) and Chaminda Vaas (2003).
"I think today was set up well and truly by our bowlers, they did a fantastic job," Michael Clarke, who made his fourth half-centruy of the tournament to see Australia home with 18.3 overs to spare, said.
"It was good to score another 50, and it's a great feeling to be in a World Cup final."
Australia captain Ricky Ponting also praised his bowlers for ripping apart South Africa's top order.
"Full credit to our bowlers ... all the bowlers have just been fantastic," he said.
"All four are in the top five or six leading wicket takers in the tournament.
"We are in really good shape and looking forward to Saturday coming around really quickly."
South Africa captain Graeme Smith said his side was simply outplayed.
"Today we were beaten by a better team," Smith said.
"We tried to be nice and positive up front, but all credit to the new ball pair.
"It was tough for us to get any initiative back."
Smith won the toss and elected to bat, but McGrath soon put the Proteas on the backfoot, taking three early wickets as South Africa slumped to 5-27.
Nathan Bracken, who shone once again in a support role, taking 1-15 off seven overs, struck frst, in the third over, bowling Smith for two.
South Africa's leading batsman, Jacques Kallis, baited by Ponting this week as a slow scorer, spanked McGrath through cover for four in the sixth over.
But he was bowled for five with the next ball as he backed away again to repeat the shot.
Tait, bowling first-change, enjoyed success in his first over, having opening batsman A.B. De Villiers caught behind for 15 to reduce South Africa to 3-26.
And South Africa was soon in deep trouble at 5-27 after McGrath's nagging line produced edges from Ashwell Prince (0) and Mark Boucher (0) in successive balls.
Herschelle Gibbs and all rounder Justin Kemp then added 60 runs for the sixth wicket to give South Africa hope of achieving a target to defend.
Gibbs, the only batsman in the top six to reach 20, was the next man out, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist off Tait for 39, and the paceman combined with his wicketkeeper once again to dismiss all rounder Andrew Hall for three to reduce South Africa 7-93.
Spinner Brad Hogg got among the wickets, deceiving Shaun Pollock to have him caught and bowled for five.
Andre Nel and Charl Langeveldt, with eight and six runs respectively, helped Kemp to add 46 for the final two wickets, but the score of 149 never looked likely to test Australia on its continued charge for a record third consecutive title.
Gilchrist and Ponting fell for one and 11 respectively to give South Africa a measure of hope before the tournament's leading runs scorer, Matthew Hayden (41), added 66 for the third wicket with Clarke.
Clarke, who made 60 not out, then saw Australia home with Andrew Symonds, who made 18.