Australia dominate opening overs

Australia continued their imperious form in the World Cup by claiming a stranglehold on Wednesday's semi-final against South Africa inside the first 10 overs.

South Africa seemed to have claimed an early advantage as captain Graeme Smith won the toss and decided to bat first, and the half-filled Beausejour Stadium was expecting an epic encounter between the world's two top-rated one-day sides.

But instead of witnessing a tense opening, Australia merely continued the dominance they have shown throughout the tournament by reducing South Africa to 27 for five before they recovered to reach 55 for five after the first 15 overs.

Having beaten South Africa by a convincing 83 runs in the group stages at St Kitts, Australia were favourites going into the match and they quickly underlined their superiority.

It took the reigning world champions just 15 deliveries to make their first breakthrough with Nathan Bracken dismissing Graeme Smith.

Attempting to force the pace, Smith advanced down the pitch to try to hit over the top but was beaten by Bracken's outswing and had his off-stump knocked back.

New batsman Jacques Kallis seemed intent on proving a point when he arrived at the crease after Australia had revealed in the build-up they hoped he was in early because they believed he slowed down the South African tempo.

Kallis signalled his intent by hitting Glenn McGrath over the top of extra cover for four to get off the mark, but next ball made the same mistake as Smith by advancing down the wicket and Australia's veteran seamer hit his off-stump.

Opener AB de Villiers was fortunate not to follow Kallis in the next over when, despite South Africa being on a perilous 27 for two, he attempted a suicidal single off Bracken.

Pushing straight to Shane Watson at mid-on, de Villiers set off and would have been several yards short had the throw hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. But it was only a temporary reprieve with de Villiers falling two overs later to Shaun Tait's fifth ball when he nervously pushed outside off-stump and edged behind to wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist.