The excitement caused by the out and out thriller that India and South Africa played out on Wednesday night has barely died down, yet it is already time for another gigantic clash. The ICC Champions Trophy may have had its moments of boredom and predictability but then matches such as the one played out in the first semifinal have by far made up for all that and more. And everything does suggest another such encounter when hosts Sri Lanka take on tournament favourites Australia in the second semi-final at the Premadasa Stadium on Friday.

Both teams are in great form and more importantly have good wins under their belt both in this tournament as well as preceding tournaments, thus setting a stage from where anything is possible. Australia and Sri Lanka both have dangerous opening batsmen, the Aussie pacemen are lethal while their Lankan counterparts are potent enough. Finally there is Shane Warne and his spinning opponent Muthiah Muralitharan. Should be fun, this contest and the best part is that whichever team wins, the Indians will be waiting for them on Sunday.

Two things apart from form and skill will play a big part. The heat and humidity seems to be really sapping and apart from tiring out the players it must have some bearing on the pitches too. Batting against the spinners isn’t going to be all that easy, especially under lights and after the sun has beaten down on the wicket.

Being the hosts, Sri Lanka should handle the conditions better. At least that is what Sanath Jayasuriya will be hoping for. His trump card though, apart from his explosive batting that is, should be Muralitharan. The manner in which Anil Kumble, Harbhajan Singh and Virender Sehwag turned the ball on Wednesday night, it does look as if Murali will have a huge role to play.

Similarly, Ricky Ponting will have to use Warne’s overs carefully. His pace trio of Glenn McGrath, Jason Gillespie and Brett Lee are good enough for any kind of surface but it does look as if Warne will to play more than just a supporting role on Friday. His problem will be that every Lankan batsman, including the tailenders, is a good player of spin and so he will have to be at his very best.

Just as both teams, undoubtedly, have to be at their very best.