Match report: Watson carries Australia into Semi Finals

Source: ICC

• Australia 147/2 (Watson 70, Hussey 45) defeated South Africa 146/5 (Peterson 32, Doherty 3/20)

Summary:
Australia has sealed a spot in the T20 World Cup semi-finals thanks to another match-winning performance from Shane Watson. Watson made 70 with the bat and shared a 99-run partnership with veteran Michael Hussey after earlier taking 2/29 to help restrict South Africa to a modest total. South Africa struggled from the outset, falling to 8/2 thanks to the unusual choice of left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty as opening bowler. Their middle order steadied the ship, but apart from a late inning burst from Robin Peterson, never threatened to loosen Australia's grip on the match. Australia made a tentative start to the run chase, losing Warner with the score on ten, before Hussey and Watson guided them home.

The "chokers":
South Africa has an infamous record in major tournaments of finding a way to lose from almost any position, evidenced by their effort against Pakistan last Friday. But while they were never in a winning position against Australia, their lacklustre performance with the bat and especially in the field may suggest there is some mental issues in the South African team in big matches, particularly when you compare this performance with the ones earlier in the tournament.

Who's hot:
Australia: Apart from you know who, there were a few pleasing performances. Mike Hussey has been going quietly about his business knocking up runs in Watson's shadow so far this tournament and this was his best effort yet. The inclusion of Doherty and decision to open the bowling with him was inspired.
South Africa: Robin Peterson provided a late flurry for the South African's in a middle-order that all got amongst the runs, but scored them at too slow a rate.

What it means:
Australia: Only an enormous loss to Pakistan and a big win by either side in the South Africa vs India match could tip the Aussie's out of the semi-finals, which is a great result given how lowly Australia is ranked in T20 cricket and the calibre of the opposition in this group.
South Africa: Pretty simple equation for the next match. It must win, and win big to be any chance of qualifying for the knockout semis. A poor position to be in considering the form they brought into the Super Eight's.

The Votes:
MVP: 3- S Watson (this is getting pretty dull), 2- X Doherty (hamstrung South Africa early), 1- M Hussey (starting to peak at the business end of the tournament)
Tucker Trophy: 1- AB de Villiers (tardy with bat, missed stumping of Hussey), 2- J Kallis (tied down with the bat, only 1 over with the ball), 3- W Parnell (two over for 24 and dropped Watson)