Magnificent McGrath turns it on again

This could have been Glenn McGrath's last international match but typically, on a big stage and in a crunch game, he delivered more spectacular results. His three-wicket haul lifted his World Cup tally to a record 25 - past Chaminda Vaas' 2003-mark of 23 - and ensured that his final game will be a suitably big occasion.

This semi-final was effectively over the moment McGrath completed his fifth over. By then he had outstanding figures of 3 for 13, South Africa had slumped to 27 for 5, and though they recovered slightly, the result was never in any doubt. As usual, he bowled in perfect areas - 27 of his first 30 deliveries pitched on a good length, while 26 reached the batsmen on or around off stump. South Africa compounded their woes by the manner in which they tried to tackle him. They left alone 14 deliveries, took only four singles, and then attempted to break the shackles with extravagant strokes which led to their downfall.

McGrath finally finished with figures of 3 for 18 from eight, and his 15th Man-of-the-Match award. Six of those have come in World Cup matches, which is a pretty impressive record considering that only 16% of his ODIs have been in the World Cup. This performance also gives him an opportunity to bow out in style. Considering his track record in finals and in World Cups, expect him to turn it on again on Saturday.