Overview

"If we play well, I don't think anyone can get near us."

Such has been Australia's dominance in the World T20 campaign in the Caribbean that Aussie Hitman Shaun Tait, speaking ahead of their semi-final showdown with defending champions Pakistan, cannot be accused of even the slightest hint of over-confidence; it is fact, Michael Clarke's men are strong favourites going into Friday's semi-final showdown with Pakistan.

The Aussies boast some noteworthy accomplishments on their stroll to the last four. Unbeaten in five games they have hardly been threatened, but the scariest thing is that when they have - such as when Sri Lanka reduced them to 67 for 5 - Australia have still registered crushing victories. What's more, they've bowled out their opposition inside the 20 overs in all five games.

Key to this has been the strike-force up front of pace trio Dirk Nannes, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson. With much of the early tournament talk sorrounding the dominance of spin on the slow Caribbean wickets, the Aussie fast-men have blitzed that theory by taking 29 wickets between them.

While skipper Michael Clarke is yet to find his batting form, his captaincy has been refreshing. Every one of his players clearly knows what is required in their specialised roles within the side. Clarke's captaincy record speaks for itself, having led his country in 13 T20 internationals, he has tasted defeat just once, and that being via the lottery of a 'super over'.

Epitomising the energy of his charges has been the fielding displays put in by the Aussies. They have taken a number of fantastic catches and the speed with which they get through their overs has intensified the pressure on opposition batsmen, who have not been allowed time to breathe between the onslaught from Nannes, Tait and co.

Add in some proven T20 hitters, the likes of Shane Watson, David Warner and Cameron White and you have a well balanced team gelling perfectly at just the right time. The Hussey brothers have also come good and add valuable artilery to the Australian arsenal.

The factor which leaves one tentative about putting absolutely everything on an Australian victory is the unpredictablility of Shahid Afridi's men, something which is all too familiar from Pakistan.

Pakistan have had anything but a stroll to the final four, somehow sneaking in via the back door, and the stage is ripe for another typical snatch and grab.

No player represents the unpredictable nature of the side more than skipper Afridi who is due a big performance, and is no stranger playing the leading role in a World Twenty20 semi-final tie.

While Australia have the Husseys, Pakistan have brothers of their own, just about hitting their straps too. Kamran and Umar Akmal are key players for the defending champions and their recent performances have been encouraging - Kamran scored 33 and Umar starred with 51 in their team's success over South Africa.

Neutral's will be behind the defending champions who go into the match as heavy underdogs, especially after their 34-run loss to Australia in the group stages of the competition. But underdogs is where Pakistan have always thrived and triumph for Waqar Younis' side will be just the tonic to heal the wounds of the recent summer down under.

Potential Match-Winners
Australia: Leading an attack that has taken 50 wickets in just five games is something special. The former Netherlands international Dirk Nannes has been the catalyst in the Australian bowling effort. The tournament's top wicket-taker has struck early every time he has bowled, setting the opposition on the downward spiral right from the start. Three times he's taken a wicket in his first over and at most it took him just nine deliveries against Sri Lanka before striking with the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene. Against Pakistan his early venom will once again be key, and another blitz first up may well bring a premature end to the challenge of Shahid Afridi's side.

Pakistan: The second highest wicket taker still involved in the tournament is Pakistan's leading hitman Saeed Ajmal, who starred in dismantling South's Africa's batting chase, sending his team into the last four. The off-spinner's partnership in tandem with Afridi was a large reason for Pakistan being crowned T20 champions in England last year and once again his contribution has been, and will be, vital to his team. With the St Lucia pitch fancying the slower men, Ajmal will be an important weapon in Afridi's bowling armery. In addition to his performance of four for 26 against South Africa, he was also a stand out performer against the Aussies in their previous encounter in the group stages of the World T20, taking three wickets. An economy rate of 6.64 an over so far in the tournament also shows his value.

Prediction

While Pakistan are known for being unpredicatable and are following a suspiciously familiar path to that of last year's success, it is hard to argue with Shaun Tait's sentiments that even if Pakistan do hit their straps, another polished Aussie performance will be too much for the defending champions. Hopefully a Gros Islet wicket favouring Pakistan will make the match more of a contest but it is hard to imagine Australia not strolling on to yet another ICC competition final.

Squads
Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), Cameron White, Daniel Christian, Brad Haddin, Nathan Hauritz, David Hussey, Mike Hussey, Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Dirk Nannes, Tim Paine, Steven Smith, Shaun Tait, David Warner, Shane Watson.

Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Salman Butt, Mohammad Hafeez, Khalid Latif, Misbah-ul-Haq, Fawad Alam, Umar Akmal, Abdul Razzaq, Yasir Arafat, Hammad Azam, Kamran Akmal, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Aamer, Saeed Ajmal.

Doug Saxby