Australia on course for final

The reigning champions had been expected to be face a far tougher test at the Beausejour Stadium against their nearest rivals in the world rankings after dominating nearly every other game in the tournament.

But instead South Africa were dismissed for a lowly 149 and, despite losing Adam Gilchrist in the second over of their reply, Australia remained on course for another emphatic victory after reaching 111 for three after 25 overs of their reply.

The contest was effectively settled inside the first 10 overs when South Africa, who won the toss and decided to bat first in the hope of setting Australia a challenging target, slipped to 27 for five.

All-rounder Justin Kemp prevented a complete capitulation with a defiant, unbeaten 49, but it was not enough to stop South Africa slipping to their lowest ever World Cup total. Veteran 37-year-old seamer Glenn McGrath was the architect of their downfall with a superb new ball spell of three for 14, which earned him yet another record at the end of his illustrious career.

McGrath, who is due to retire at the end of the tournament, took his tally to 25 victims and eclipsed the previous record for one World Cup of 23 set by Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas in 2003.

But South Africa's collapse was also influenced by the pace and hostility of youngster Shaun Tait, who collected career best figures of four for 39 and ensured South Africa were never able to gain any momentum.

South Africa were given a flying start with Langeveldt bowling Gilchrist with his first delivery with a swinging delivery which broke through his defences.

Nel followed that by ending a promising innings from captain Ricky Ponting, who was dropped on four by Prince at mid-wicket, after he had progressed to 22 off 25 balls by bowling him as he played across the line.

But opener Hayden, the tournament's leading run-scorer, steadied the ship and reached 41 before he was caught at long off from the bowling of Shaun Pollock.