Tigers rip up the formbook.

Expect the unexpected. That is as good a mantra as any for this World Cup, which took another dramtic turn earlier when Bangladesh claimed their second significant scalp of the tournament. And this was no narrow victory, guided by fortune or hanging on a controversial decision; they trampled all over the South Africans, their domination beginning with a calm opening stand, blossoming into a delightful mid-innings partnership between the precocious Mohammed Ashraful and the equally impish Aftab Ahmed and culminating in them claiming the first six South African wickets before the third column on the scoreboard had been called into action.

One could argue that this result should come as no suprise; after all, isn't this the same Bangladesh who dumped India out of the tournament? Well, it was today, but the Tigers who clambered all over the shocked South Africans had been far less fierce in their initial Super 8 encounters, showing all the fight of a decidedly sickly moggy in submissive defeats to the two Antipodean powers. Consistency is obviously a problem, but that is the price that has to be paid when bringing through such a young side. The rewards, as evidenced by the two outstanding victories, are rich indeed.

As for the South Africans, not only have they been humbled, with their credibility and No.1 ranking blown out of the water, but they now face a struggle to make the semi-finals, after today's result opened the door for England and the West Indies. The outcome of their fixtures with those two sides will now be crucial; should either or both prevail, the final match between the hosts and England could be an effective quarter-final. England have the first chance to make a bid, albeit against the form side Australia. Nevertheless, what 24 hours ago was a crucial tie for England has lost no importance, but can now be regarded as one of two routes to goal. With all being well, it now appears that three wins against Bangladesh, South Africa and West Indies would be enough to ensure qualification.

Even so, that would be a considerable ask for a team so fragile in both development and confidence as England. Furthermore, despite the abiding memory of their against the odds CB series triumph, equally prominent in their thougts is sure to be the last occasion on which they entered into battle with Australia as underdogs with a fighting chance. It seems that the best bet against the World Champions is to have every chance or none at all. Unfortunately, like so much of this England one-day side, the reality is something of a halfway house and they must guard against being trapped by an Australian side which delights in proving itself both rock and hard place.