If you’re not keen on joining the adulation of the English cricket team steer clear of British media for the next week. Paul Collingwood’s men have become the darlings of the nation, saviours of English cricket, restorers of national sporting pride, etc, etc.

Chasing a mammoth 192 in twenty overs on a slow pitch against world-class slower bowlers, few would have backed Australia to beat Pakistan in the second semi-final in St Lucia last night.

Australia, as they do with most international tournaments, enters the ICC World Twenty20 as one of the favoured teams to lift the trophy.
 
   Optimism around Australia’s chances in the competition has been boosted by their impressive recent form in international T20 cricket.

    They have won four of the five matches they have played this season with Pakistan, West Indies and New Zealand all succumbing to the Australian machine.

Standard Bank has had a long and successful relationship with South African cricket and we’re proud to announce that this relationship has just been extended to include the sponsorship of the 2009 International Cricket Council (ICC) Trophy, which takes place in South Africa from 22 September to 5 October.

It's another perfect day for cricket here at Sahara Park Newlands. After a bit of a wobble upfront, with both Smith and Gibbs going out for relatively low scores (Smith for 8 and Gibbs for a slightly more respectable 26), South Africa has picked up the pace somewhat, thanks to the efforts of De Villiers and Kallis.

They've been showing a bit of intent with the bat, with a number of balls racing away towards the boundary, to be stopped just short of it by an alert fielder. Both have now reached their half-century - and that's always a good sign for a top-order batsman.

In a clinical display of professional cricket, South Africa have demolished Australia by 7 wickets, scoring the required 132 in 26.2 overs. It was a team effort by South Africa, with both the bowlers and batsmen contributing, Graeme Smith top scored with 40 off 48 balls. Mitchell Johnson was the only bowler who looked slighlty dangerous,but even He was sent packing. His figures were 2 for 47 off 10 overs.

Wayne Parnell is man of the match with his awesome bowling performance, he could be the next big thing South Africa is looking for.