Aussies choose to bat first

Australia won the toss in the first semi-final of the World Cup and chose to bat against Sri Lanka.

Ricky Ponting decided to go in first despite the gloomy conditions at St George’s Park, where rain is forecast for later today.

Ponting’s men go into the contest on the back of 15 consecutive one-day victories – a world record achievement – including nine wins since arriving in South Africa.

They made one change from their side which beat Kenya by five wickets in their third and final Super Six match in Durban at the weekend, with Michael Bevan returning in place of Damien Martyn, who has a fracture in his right index finger.

Bevan sat out the day-nighter at Kingsmead as a precaution, having experienced some discomfort in his lower back.

However, his presence here could be crucial given his previous performances on this ground.

Half-centuries against England and New Zealand helped Australia to victory on both occasions after batting collapses endangered their proud unbeaten run.

Sri Lanka – who lost to the Aussies by 96 runs in the Super Six – also made a solitary change with batsman Mahela Jayawardene, who has scored a paltry 16 runs in six innings in this tournament, recalled in place of fast bowler Dilhara Fernando.