Semi-conscious? I almost was, watching the cricket  World Cup semis. Both games were the equivalent of 4-0 drubbings at football and many thousands of South Africans and Kiwis who had spent good money getting to the Caribbean were certainly short-changed by their teams.

Much had been made of the Kiwis this time round, about how they had a real chance with Shane Bond and Stephen Fleming. Well, the 007 combination was more Dr No than Casino Royale, with Bond particularly disappointing in the semi against Sri Lanka. The capitulation of the Black Caps’ middle order against Muttiah Murilitharan and Co showed the gulf between mediocrity and class. The Kiwis are a good cricketing outfit but they are no world beaters.

South Africa were as disappointing. When Graeme Smith won the toss and elected to bat, he said the team were supremely confident. Ten overs later, the match was over with the top order decimated. A bit of late-order hitting gave the Aussies a bit of batting practice but overall it was a gutless showing from the Proteas. It is hard to believe that South Africa were the number one ODI side coming into the tournament. Their bowling attack, without a half-decent spinner, is way short of being up there with the best.

So the best two have reached the final, and from the point of view of the tournament, their presence has saved  face for the ICC. This has been a poor World Cup, with mediocre cricket and hardly any close finishes.

If both teams play to their potential, it will be a classic on Saturday. The only problem the marauding Aussies have is the variable batting of Adam Gilchrist, but with Ricky Ponting, Matthew Hayden and Michael Clarke in inspired form, they can afford the luxury of one player off form.

The Aussie bowling has been awesome, even without Brett Lee and Shane Warne. Nathan Bracken, Glenn McGrath and the hugely impressive Shaun Tait and Brad Hogg have bowled Australia to superiority in every game to stretch their amazing World Cup run to 28 wins on the bounce (the 1999 tie with South Africa excepted).

Yet, in Sri Lanka, the Aussies could meet their match. Although Ponting’s men won easily in the Super 8s, the Lankans were without Murali and Chaminda Vaas. And with Lasith Malinga showing real class with his speed and unorthodox action, the bowling is very good. We know how good the batting is - Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakarra and Sanath Jayasuriya can punish any attack.

Coach Tom Moody has developed this Sri Lanka team into a world-class outfit and they will take heart from their victory over Australia in the 1996 final. But this Aussie team is able to raise its game at key moments, and if any eight of the starting 11 are on song, it is surely going to be Australia’s tournament.

Worryingly for international cricket, the gulf between the winning and losing semi finalists is so big that the World Cup is losing its credibility. There is one last chance; let’s hope Saturday will be the classic we have been waiting six weeks for.

Can Sri Lanka prevent Australia completing a hat-trick of World Cup wins? Sportingo welcomes your views.