Aussies lord over South Africa

Chloe Saltau in Basseterre, St Kitts in Sydney Morning Herald
Matthew Hayden's devastating century - the fastest in World Cup history - helped Australia triumph over South Africa on a ground roughly the size of an Eastern Caribbean dollar in St Kitts overnight.
Beating the team that recently stole their number one ranking is a massive boost for the world champions. They will now carry two points through to the Super Eight round that could be crucial in qualifying for the World Cup semi-finals, and have proven some other points in the process.
Hayden seemed to fill tiny Warner Park from the moment he strode out to bat, and broke the record claimed four years ago by Canada's John Davison with a hundred plundered from a mere 66 balls. His century came up with a towering six, one of the four that decorated his innings.
Australia's 83-run victory, though, had as much to do with the discipline of its bowlers to recover from an early South African onslaught.
After Australia posted 6-377, the third-biggest World Cup total in history, openers Graeme Smith and AB de Villiers raced to 0-154 from the first 20 overs. But Shane Watson's direct hit from the deep square leg boundary to run out de Villiers for 92 completely changed the complexion of the chase.
The Proteas' run rate slowed, Smith went down with cramp and had to retire hurt on 72 and the bowlers worked their way back on top.
This was no mean achievement on a ground so small that anything that missed by a fielder went for four, unless it was in the air in which case it went for six. This was cricket played in a different dimension.
Australia ensured there was no repeat of South Africa's famous 2006 chase in Johannesburg by dismissing danger man Herschelle Gibbs for 17. Brad Hogg ripped out a googly to fool Gibbs and Adam Gilchrist whipped off the bails.
Shaun Tait roared back into the game after an expensive beginning to knock over Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp and claim 2-61, and there was little urgency about Jacques Kallis's 48 from 63 balls.
As impressive as Australia's batting performance was, with both Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke falling just short of centuries, it was the bowlers' effort to rein South Africa in that would have done most to restore confidence after the recent troubles in defending big totals.
In addition Andrew Symonds came through his return game, with a quick 18 at the end of the Australian innings and two overs of off-spin, to warm up for the first Super Eights outing against the West Indies on Tuesday. He dived and threw without worrying about his recently recovered biceps.
South Africa, bowled out for 294 in 48 overs and knocked off kilter, faces a tough task to rectify its World Cup campaign, needing to come from behind to make the top four.
For Australia, stage one of the mission is accomplished.