Smith aims to bury ghosts of the past

Throughout the World Cup Graeme Smith has dealt with many questions about choking. It's a reputation South Africa have earned over years of failing a few big tests, and none have been more famous than two World Cup matches. In 1999, the inability to get one run in four balls cost them a place in the final, and, in 2003, they fell one short of a spot in the Super Sixes at home.

"Today, we demolished it," Smith said of the choking tag after beating England in a must-win match last week. Yet, he must know that there is only way to bury the past: they must not finish the World Cup as second-best. For a start, they need to beat Australia in St Lucia on Wednesday.

The scar of 1999 runs the deepest. Smith was nowhere near the dressing room then - he was there when they botched the chase against Sri Lanka in 2003 - but he must face up to it every time South Africa meet Australia in a match of consequence. It was the second question addressed to him at St Lucia today and Smith responded with outward calm.

Was his team fed up with being asked that question? "Not really," he said. "It doesn't get mentioned within the setup that much." He did admit that it came up during a recent team conference. "But even with the guys who were part of the game it's not such a big issue as people are making it out to be.

"The 1999 game was a game in history, an incredible game of cricket and obviously it was disappointing for the country, but it's a game that you learn from and move forward." Of course, it would have been lost on no one that there would be no better way of moving forward than getting past Australia in a World Cup semi-final.

Smith is aware of the enormity of the task. Australia have not lost a World Cup match since May 23, 1999, and have looked like a team from a different planet in this event. Batsmen in all other sides have struggled at various times in the tournament, but Australia have not lost more than six wickets, and have never failed to score 300 when batting first. Smith was quick to grab the role of the underdog.

"It must be said they haven't looked like a team beaten," he said. "They are carrying all the expectations and we are happy to go under the radar." He did make it clear that unlike the rest of the world, which thinks South Africa's best chance lies with Australia having an off day, his team is prepared to take on Australia at their best.

"We're not sitting back expecting them to play a bad game," Smith said. "That's not how we're going into this. We're going into this game looking to execute our plan and expecting to beat them. We're hoping to beat the best Australian team, and we are mentally preparing for that.

"A semi-final is a tough game, what's happened before means nothing. The fact you are here, I guess, is the most important thing. The guys are focused and the funny thing is there is no tension yet. There is a unique confidence in the side that I haven't seen for a while. We have peaked at the right time, the game against England gave us a large boost."

Smith also stood up for Jacques Kallis, whose approach has been criticised despite him being South Africa's leading run-scorer with 480 runs at 96. "My feeling about Jacques is that he's a world-class player, definitely a team player," he said. "He plays to the way he assesses a team total on the day and not all the time can anyone get it right.

"He's won many games for South Africa as a batter. Over the last couple of months and maybe years, he has had a look at his one-day game, maybe with the game changing he's had to reassess a few things, but he's an integral part of our team and I'm sure he's going to play a massive role in the semi-final."

Smith singled out Herschelle Gibbs as the man most likely to be able to hustle Australia. "He's unpredictable, has shots all around the wicket and he's played well throughout the tournament," he said. "He looks very determined going into this.

"You talk about '99 and how many guys get a second chance. He's looking forward to the opportunity, I really believe Herschelle is up there for Wednesday." Smith would not admit it, but there was no getting away from 1999. In the most unflattering way, it defines South Africa.