McGrath reaches World Cup milestone

The veteran 37-year-old seamer, who retires at the end of this tournament, claimed three wickets for 18 runs to help dismiss South Africa in 43.5 overs.

McGrath's haul, backed up by career best figures of four for 39 from Shaun Tait, took his tally for the tournament to 25 - eclipsing the previous record of 23 victims set by Sri Lanka's Chaminda Vaas in 2003.

It also firmly ended the hopes of a half-filled Beausejour Stadium of watching an epic semi-final encounter between the two highest ranked one-day international teams in the world.

South Africa were in danger of recording a humiliating score having slipped to 27 for five inside the first 10 overs.

But a determined unbeaten 49 from 91 balls from Justin Kemp, which included four fours and a six, staved off total embarrassment.

It took the reigning world champions just 15 deliveries to make their first breakthrough after South Africa chose to bat first, with left-arm seamer Nathan Bracken claiming the important early scalp of captain Graeme Smith.

Attempting to force the pace, Smith advanced down the pitch to try to hit the ball over the top - but he 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 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.