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My best innings, says Waugh

Steve Waugh has warned rivals to beware of the ever-improving Australian side after its dramatic five-wicket victory over South Africa to enter the World Cup semi-finals.

Waugh's unbeaten 120 lifted his team from a precarious position as Australia overhauled South Africa's total of 271 for seven and reached 272 with two balls and five wickets to spare at Headingley yesterday.

"All teams will now be wary of Australia,'' Waugh said. "The other teams are more concerned about us...I don't care who we play.''

The Australian captain said his team had come back into the reckoning after being written off following losses to New Zealand and Pakistan in the group stage.

"There wasn't much faith shown...Sometimes you take games too much at face value rather than analyze the character of the side,'' he said.

Australia and South Africa, major limited-overs rivals, will clash again on Thursday in the semi-finals at Birmingham after finishing second and third in the Super Six standings.

Pakistan, which topped the table, will play New Zealand in the other semi-final at Manchester on Thursday.

Australia's win eliminated Zimbabwe, which would have made the semi-finals for the first time if South Africa had won the last Super Six match.

"We are two games away from what we came here to do,'' said Waugh. "I am not going to get too carried away yet.''

Waugh and his South African counterpart Hansie Cronje both said Sunday's win had given Australia an edge going into the semi-final clash.

Waugh said the victory over South Africa, Australia's fifth consecutive win this tournament, has to be put into perspective.

"It's good for us psychologically, but it doesn't count for too much,'' Waugh said. "You have to be aware if you lose the next game you're out.''

Waugh said criticism of his batting was the major motivation for his second one-day century. His first coming three years ago with an unbeaten 102 against Sri Lanka at Melbourne.

"It's good if someone is doubting me ... When I got to 50 I had those (criticisms) at the back of my mind. They spurred me on,'' he said.

The 34-year-old batsman, who went to the crease with Australia reeling at 48 for three, rated his innings up there among his best.

"Given the circumstances, I rate it higher than any other innings I've played. I knew I could play that sort of innings in one-day cricket ... It's been a while coming. I suppose hundreds don't come that often when you bat at no.5 and 6.

"It's something you work for all your career ... That situation (where) you put yourself on the line and if you come out on top you're good enough.''

Waugh's 110-ball knock included two sixes and 10 boundaries and upstaged South African opener Herschelle Gibbs' 101.

Gibbs' knock was also pushed into the background by his dropped catch of Waugh, which will rank among the most bizarre incidents in World Cup history.

Waugh, then on 56, miscued a shot off Lance Klusener towards Gibbs, who seemed to have his hands under the ball. But it slipped out as the fielder tried to throw the ball in the air. And Waugh made South Africa pay heavily for this lapse.

The course of the match was altered by a 126-run fourth-wicket stand between Waugh and Ricky Ponting (69), which sparked Australia's recovery.

Waugh said his team could chase any target but it was the team's wayward bowling which needed to be redressed.

"It was ordinary. We bowled on both sides of the wicket and definitely have some work to do there,'' Waugh said.