Aussies wary of 1996 repeat

Australia humiliated South Africa in the second semi-final on Wednesday and are 2/5 (1.40) favourites to complete the job by beating Sri Lanka in the final of the World Cup in Barbados on Saturday. The Aussies will be confident, but memories of 1996, when they were humbled by many of the side they will face on Saturday, will be fresh in their minds.

Luckily for Australia, any chance of complacency should be banished by the presence of captain Ricky Ponting and veteran bowler Glenn McGrath, who were both on the losing side in Lahore.

Conditions will be much more in Australia's favour in Barbados - the higher bounce and pace in the wicket will make life tough for the Sri Lankans but it will be interesting to see what the tactics are, with Muttiah Muralitharan lurking in the wings, especially as he and Vaas were rested in the defeat by the Australians in the Super Eights.

Lasith Malinga has been one of the success stories of the World Cup and with Chaminda Vaas and Murali, they have an excellent attack, to go with their fine all-round batting line-up.

Australia are ultra-confident though and having not lost a single World Cup match since 1999, they are deserving 2/5 (1.40) favourites. Sri Lanka, though, will not be without their supporters, at 2/1 (3.00).

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Matthew Hayden has been the star of the Australian batting show throughout the World Cup but Ponting has not been far behind and both men share favouritism at 11/4 (3.75).

Adam Gilchrist is next at 4/1, Michael Clarke is 5/1 and then there is a gap to Andrew Symonds, at 15/2. Brad Haddin and Brad Hodge are 8/1 with Michael Hussey 9/1.

For Sri Lanka, captain Mahela Jayawardene is the favourite at 10/3, fresh from his match-winning hundred in the semi-final win over New Zealand.

Old warhorse Sanath Jayasuriya is next at 7/2, while Kumar Sangakkara is 4/1 and the other opener Upul Tharanga 9/2.

Chamar Silva is 11/2, Marvan Atapattu 13/2 and Tillekeratne Dilshan 8/1.

Glenn McGrath looks solid at 9/4 to be his side's leading wicket-taker in the match, though this is a tough market as there are often ties.

If Sri Lanka succeed, it may because of their fill-in bowlers, do don't be surprised if someone like Sanath Jayasuriya chips in with a couple, or more, at 8/1,