WC Semi-Finals

Australia will beat South Africa, Sri Lanka will beat New Zealand and we'll have a repeat of the 96 final, only with Australia winning. South Africa have had on- and off- days, but even on their best day they won't beat the Aussies, while NZ and SL have both been pretty consistent, SL have been more so, and the pitches have been perfect for them

The reception party is already gathering at Joburg International Kerm - lots of rotten tomatoes awaiting the boys!!

Denial mate , a classic symptom and I'm as culpable as you.  Maybe you'll get better though , sadly , I'm a hopeless case (ask the missus!)

Must be genetic , maybe we're related !!!

One big delusional family.

Aussie wern't written off by anyone with decent amount of cricket knowledge, just a few young forum experts.

Originally posted by tonks007 Im sure before the WC not too many would have picked SL and Aus for the final.

Edited by gambler - 18 April 2007 at 5:24am

To be honest, I don't see SA beating the Aussies, but it's not impossible. If their batsmen all fire on the day, they can be truly devastating, and not even the omnipotent Aussies would be able handle them. But that's a huge IF.

I won't deny that Aussies have an awesome lineup, but I wouldn't say that it's much better than the Proteas. In the context of this tournament, who have been doing better?

Edited by Mojo - 18 April 2007 at 10:02am

  It's not that simple Mojo - the dynamics within a side can't be measured , neither can confidence. The South Africans at breakfast today will be a totally different bunch than that  that gathered yesterday.  Winning so comprehensively is a major boost and they have the  memory of that beating of Australia last year.
      They won't start favourites , but that won't bother them overmuch and they will give it a full go. 
       Australia fear no-one , but they're yet to be really pushed in this competition and they might not look so invulnerable if the South Africans start well. 
       I suspect the South Africans will want to bat first if they win the toss and then post a big score (270-300). They'll back their attack to make life difficult for the Aussie top order and hopefully see some rash shots by the opposition when trying to reduce the required runrate.

   Aussie crushed SA first time around , I don't think we'll see such a one sided affair next week.

Originally posted by Sledger   It's not that simple Mojo - the dynamics within a side can't be measured , neither can confidence.

I don't know why I fell like this but I have a gut feeling that the final would be NZ Vs SA.

I prefered the team we have been playing, I just don't rate watson.

If I was an Aussie, my concern would be with Tait at the moment. Fast he may be, but he just doesn't look dangerous. He's being taken apart by everyone.

I agree , he's a wicket taker and has justified his selection . He'll always go for runs , as Lee does , I don't think they'll ever play in the same side though , that's a too run friendly  selection.