Oz want to stick to cruising speed, Safs just accelerating

But he does add that there is no pressure on South Africa. “They are a good side and they shouldn’t be bothered about such things,” he says. This isn’t merely the hope of an avid South Africa watcher, but someone who is aware of the strengths and weaknesses of his country. “There certainly is sameness about their attack. We as a country have never had the confidence of including spinners. But we have relied on pace and swing and backed this kind of attack with some excellent fielding. This formula has worked well for us,” he says.

Though, being fair, he goes on to add, “but I think all the teams these days have improved their fielding a lot as we have a few Jonty Rhodes in every team.”

With Australia in the mind, the Rhodes in golden yellow are Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke and Andrew Symonds. So with the usual fielding advantage negated, taking a stock of the other two disciplines it becomes clear that — like has been the case since the last two World Cups — Australia will once again start as the favourites. The bowling head-to-head comparison is too lopsided to even talk about and the South African batting to some extent can be talked about in the same breath.

Though on the eve of the game most of the talk hovered around the mental aspect of the game. The South African were pestered with questions about their tendency to ‘choke’ while the Aussies didn’t just speak sustaining their mental toughness but taking it to a different level of level.

But South African captain Graeme Smith said that they demolished the “choker tag after the game against England”. He was referring to England’s annihilation in the do-or-die Super Eight game.

By beating England they might have untied the albatross around the neck but still the monkey on their backs has stuck on.

Smith did his best to underplay this recently. “It doesn’t get mentioned within the setup that much. But even with the guys who were part of the game it’s not such a big issue as people are making it out to be.”

The Aussies have a different problem about carrying on the momentum. Despite Matthew Hayden having called the long World Cup a drag, looking at the team at nets it shows their steely resolve hasn’t been rusted by boredom. “I guess we are looking at how we can improve at this stage and that will start with the platform which Gilly and I, or our opening bowlers, create,” he said.

Ponting too has insisted that he would like Hayden and Gilchrist to repeat that 83 runs in 10 overs type assault that they fashioned exactly a month back in their group game against South Africa.

Since Hayden talks about improvement it remains to be seen what is in store on Wednesday. Just for reference, Hayden (580) and Adam Gilchrist (303) happen to be the most successful opening partners at this World Cup. In case they take the next step the choking thing will crop up again for South Africa.

Not only will the monkey stay on their back but the kangaroos will re-tie the albatross around their necks too. In the cricketing jungle out there and the only the toughest will survive.

AWESOME AUSSIES

Ricky Ponting

Aussies skipper a step away from history. At the World Cup so far Ponting has aggregated 480 runs in 7 innings (9 matches) at an average of 80. The assault includes four 50-plus and a 100-plus innings — strike-rate 96.38.

Matthew Hayden

Test star, now a hammer-and-tongs ODI player too. The Caribbean changed him — after pulverizing the Safs with a 66 ball-hundred, Matty has not looked back. Such form, he is on the verge of breaking Sachin Tendulkar’s world record of 673 runs in a single World Cup. He has so far amassed 580 runs in just 8 innings (average of 82.86). strike rate? A staggering 108. That includes a world record three centuries.

Adam Gilchrist

It hasn’t been a Gilchrist show so far, but as they say, bigger the stage, bigger the threat. At the World Cup, 303 runs in 9 innings at 37.87 with just two 50-plus scores, but the strike rate is still 92.66.

Michael Clarke

Only youngster in a team of champs, but by no means a player of lesser value. Seen as a future captain.

At the World Cup — 368 runs from 7 innings with 3 50-plus scores at an average of 73.60, and a strike-rate of 100.27.

Brad Hogg

A limited ability cricketer for others, but Ponting believes that the chinaman freak will make the difference. At the World Cup — 19 wickets in 69.5 overs at 15 runs apiece, best 4/27, economy 4.13.

Andrew Symonds

All-round ability, extraordinary impact. On his day can win it with bat or ball or even without. Hasn’t fired so far, but… At the World Cup — 148 runs from 6 innings, just one fifty.

Glenn McGrath

The legend is scripting his own fairytale. So far the leading wicket-taker at the World Cup wants to bid adieu with another Cup in his already packed cabinet. At the World Cup — 22 wickets from 65.5 overs in 9 matches, economy 4.67. Add McGrath’s standing as the top pace bowler in the world even at the fag end of his career.

PROTEAN THREAT

Graeme Smith

Cocky-captain with a broad bat. What is ‘choker tag’? At the World Cup — 441 runs from 9 innings at average of 55.12, strike rate 105.25, second only to Hayden. The nine innings has five 50-plus scores.

Jacques Kallis

Leads the run pyramid with the best average at the World Cup. Dependable, and one again the key as South Africa look to chase away the ghost of 1999.

At the World Cup — 480 runs from 8 innings, average of 96.00. A century and 3 50-plus scores.

Herschelle Gibbs

The maverick who masterminded the biggest run-chase in international cricket. At the World Cup — 303 runs from 7 innings at an average of 60.60 with 4 50-plus scores. Strike rate 93.51.

Shaun Pollock

Old warhorse on last major assignment, but a clear and present danger. At the World Cup — Meanest Safs bowler giving (3.54 runs an over) for his 7 wickets from 79 overs at an average of 40.00.

Andre Nel

Because attack is the best form of defence. Most ferocious pacer on show so far. At the World Cup — 11 wickets at 16.91 runs apiece from 45.2 overs, best 5/45. Miser, at 4.11.

Andrew Hall

Leading wicket-taker for Safs so far. Smith calls him the captain’s bowler. At the World Cup — 14 wickets from 69.3 overs at 20.86, best 5/18 that demolished England.

Makhya Ntini

Subdued so far, but if there is one bowler in the South African line up who can win it in a single spell it has to be Ntini. At the World Cup — 6 wickets from 63 overs with an economy of 4.65 at 48.83 each.

Highs & Lows

HIGHEST INNINGS TOTALS

Australia: 434/4 in 50 overs at Johannesburg 12-03-2006

South Africa: 438/9 in 49.5 overs at Johannesburg 12-03-2006

LOWEST INNINGS TOTALS

Australia : 93 in 34.3 overs at Cape Town 03-03-2006

South Africa: 69 in 28 overs at Sydney 14-12-1993

HIGHEST INDIVIDUAL SCORES

Australia: 164 Ricky Ponting at Johannesburg 12-03-2006

South Africa: 175 Herschelle Gibbs at Johannesburg 12-03-2006

BEST BOWLING FIGURES

Australia: 5-19 Andy Bichel at Sydney 22-02-2002

South Africa: 6-22 Makhaya Ntini at Cape Town 03-03-2006

HIGHEST MARGINS OF VICTORY

Australia • 103 runs at Sydney 14-12-1993 • 8 wickets at Sydney 22-01-2002 • 8 wickets at Durban 03-04-2002

South Africa • 9 wickets at Sydney 26-02-1992 • 196 runs at Cape Town 03-03-2006

LOWEST MARGINS OF VICTORY

Australia • One run at Bloemfontein 08-04-1994 • One wicket at Durban 10-03-2006

South Africa • 5 runs at Johannesburag 19-02-1994 • One wicket at Johannesburg 12-03-2006

— S.PERVEZ QAISER