Shadow Boxers must beware sucker punch

Achievement in sport is, of course, relative; when Australia cantered past Bangladesh they celebrated with no more than a casual shrug of the shoulder, a job well done, but nothing more than was expected. Yet for Ireland, today's victory, if not the pinnacle of their World Cup (for what could topple beating Pakistan on their own saint's day) at least justified their presence in the second round of the tournament and will be greeted with delirium back in the Emerald Isle. That was their cup final; tomorrow could be another.

Australia are almost certain to finish top of the Super 8, meaning that their semi-final will be against the winner of Tuesday's encounter between South Africa and England. Sri Lanka and New Zealand are already through, and are likely to meet in the first semi, which, considering the magnitude of Sri Lanka's victory in their initial match, would make the Asian side favourites. As it is hard to see past Australia in the other knockout tie, it is no surprise that tomorrow's clash is being touted as the dress rehearsal for the final.

Regardless of this, the match-up between the two front-runners has long been the most anticipated fixture. Bar Australia, almost the entire cricketing world will be behind Mahela Jayawardene's men. Steve Waugh wrote of Michael Bevan in his autobiography that, "his genius became mundane when people were spoiled by his continued brilliance" and perhaps we are suffering something of the same in judging Australia's performances. Why is it that Hayden is seen as a butcher, while Sanath Jayasuriya is revered as a flawed genius? Despite their five match hiccup before this World Cup, and the fact that the rankings would have Australia only the second best ODI team in the world, they have long been the leaders in the field. They are a machine which churns out victories time and again. Maybe it is this which leads the average cricket follower to regard a breathtaking Gilchrist innings or a choking and incisive spell by McGrath as just a bit ordinary. Conversely, this Sri Lankan side wins as a by product of entertaining; they have so many maverick elements that it would be nigh on impossible for them to be boring. They even overshadowed their only loss of the tournament, Lasith Malinga's 4 wickets in as many balls capturing headlines and imaginations alike.

Yet as much as tomorrow's match presents itself as a clash of cultures, there is some similarity between the make-up of the two sides. Both have opening partnerships which look to decimate bowling attacks. The first over for both innings will be bowled by a left-arm seamer, while the second (dependant on Malinga's fitness) will be hurled down from a decidedly unusual round-arm action. If Malinga makes it, Sri Lanka have the definite edge on the bowling front; Nathan Bracken may imitate Chaminda Vaas in form, but he possesses none of the latter's experience, nous and gumption. Shaun Tait is also a somewhat pale shadow of Malinga, both in bowling and personality. Sri Lanka, of course, have the superior spin options, with Brad Hogg closer to Sri Lanka's second slow bowler, Jayasuriya, than their premier twirler, Muralitharan. Should Australia continue to replace Shane Watson with an extra batsman, they may well be made to pay for spreading their bowling resources too thin, with Sri Lanka more capable on carrying out the sort of punishment England threatened.

On the flip side of the coin, no-one would dispute the superiority of Australia's batting unit over not only Sri Lanka's. but indeed that of any in the competition. The top 4 are all in supreme form, and, although the lower order has been deprived of crease time, a reserve of Symonds, Hussey and Hodge does not read too badly at all. On the other hand, while Sri Lanka can just about live with Australia up front, their batting is much more top heavy, with the trio of Silva, Dilshan and Arnold fairly unthreatening.

With the absolute importance of this game relatively slim, Sri Lanka may choose to rest Malinga, which would tip the balance in Australia's favour. This would both mean that he could be given an easier return from injury, while it would also benefit Sri Lanka to prevent Australia getting a look at Malinga, so that they would be coming at him cold, should these two teams contest the final. And that outcome is very much on the cards; even so, this is a tournament which has thus far shown a distinct aversion to running smoothly. England vs. New Zealand for the final anyone?