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By Ben Linfoot
With both Australia and Sri Lanka already confirmed as World Cup semi-finalists, the Super Eight clash in Grenada on Monday could resemble the opening rounds of a heavyweight bout. It doesn't really matter who wins - although a Sri Lankan win would ensure they dodge Australia in the last four - and both teams will be looking to gauge the strengths and weaknesses of their opponents.

Sri Lanka's key strike bowler Lasith Malinga is missing from this clash, and as he has yet to face Australia in an ODI, he could be seen as a secret weapon for the latter stages of the tournament.

On the other hand he will be sorely missed in this game. His 15 wickets have helped cement Sri Lanka's place in the last four, and though he has been more effective at the end of an innings with the old ball, Malinga's absence is one less thing for the Australian openers to worry about.

Not that they need to be worried about anything right now.

Adam Gilchrist, and Matthew Hayden in particular have been in sparkling form, and they have an opening partnership average of 57 for this World Cup.

Hayden's average alone for the tournament is 87.20 after a couple of spectacular centuries.

Contrast this with Sri Lanka's opening pair of Upal Tharanga and Sanath Jayasuriya.

Their opening partnership average is just 42, courtesy of slow starts against India, South Africa, West Indies and England. They have struggled against the better teams, and Australia have struck early in every game (except when South Africa were 160-0 in the group stages).

Tharanga is the main culprit as he has struggled for form, as his tournament average of 30.42 suggests.

It all makes Betfred's 5/6 about Australia having the highest opening partnership very appealing and we are happy to take such a price.

Sri Lanka can still push Australia in this clash, and while the 7/4 about them is tempting we are happy to leave the match betting alone given neither team needs to win.

One way of getting with Sri Lanka is to back Kumar Sangakkara to top score for his side.

The wicketkeeper-batsman started the tournament well with a 76 and a 56 before he somewhat lost his form with a 15, 28, 7 and 17 in the next four games.

However, he bounced back to form when he top-scored against New Zealand with a 69 not out at the same venue he will face Australia (St George's).

He has a good ODI average against the world champions (46.29), and with doubts about the top of the order he looks good value to build on his recent knock and go into the semi-finals in top form.

Courtesy: http://www.sportnetwork.net/main/s522/st114943.htm