Ponting prepares for South Africa threat

Ricky Ponting likes his chances against Graeme Smith's men © AFP Enlarge

Ricky Ponting is confident Australia's strong record in big matches will help them through the semi-final with South Africa in St Lucia on Wednesday. The teams are set to play for a place in the decider after South Africa thrashed England on Tuesday.

"It was a big game for them, but not as big as a World Cup semi-final or final," Ponting said in The Australian. "We have a great record in those games and we are looking forward to playing them. It's a little way off. We have a good game to play against New Zealand first, but we are very excited about the prospect of playing South Africa."

Australia's most famous success against South Africa came in the 1999 World Cup semi-final when they tied the game at Edgbaston and went through to the final on a superior run-rate. However, Australia lost the most recent series 3-2 when South Africa overhauled Australia's 434 to take the trophy. "They have been good rivals of ours," he said. "They have played excellent cricket of late against us as well."

Ponting is wary of the depth of South Africa's side and considers them a threat on the Caribbean surfaces. "By the looks of things they might have got conditions to suit them a little bit with their bowling early on, but their batting was very good," he said. "They are a dangerous side."