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.

Losing their openers cheaply and then continuing to lose batsmen at critical junctures, Australia’s cause seemed doomed to failure.Pakistan looked indomitable for most of the game but it was Australia that went on to score a resounding victory.

Unlike South Africa who bowed out to Pakistan a few days earlier, Australia did not allow the fall of wickets to stymie their run chase. If anything this match was the perfect example of positive cricket South Africa so desperately need to replicate. Pakistan earlier had refused to be intimidated by the Aussie quicks and took their attack apart, the brothers Akmal being the chief aggressors. Australia looked shell shocked in the field, spilling the ball uncharacteristically, Nannes looked far from the tournament’s best bowler and Pakistan did not release the juggernaut. They pressed on, scoring an impressive 191 when pundits had earlier reckoned 160 to be a winning score.

Enter Australia with the bat and once more positive cricket is the only brand that can survive in this format of the game. With Australia at 62/4 Waqar Yunus’ charges must have fancied their chances. Cameron White though, stepped up to the plate and hit two consecutive sixes off a spirited Afridi and Australia were back in it. ‘Game on,’ said Pakistan as they subsequently dismissed both White and Smith before the ten over mark.

Michael Hussey came into bat with the tall order of scoring 54 runs off 21 balls with just three wickets in hand. He went on to win it for Australia with a ball to spare.

This match served up a feast of cricket, with which even the most stoic neutral had to have been moved. Perhaps Ajmal’s bowling in the last over could be faulted, but from my armchair it looked like there was no stopping the Hussey charge.

And onto the final have Australia advanced.