Ponting: We're peaking at right time

Captain Ricky Ponting believes Australia produced their best performance of the tournament to ease past South Africa into their fourth successive World Cup final.

The reigning world champions swept to a seven-wicket victory over their nearest challengers in the world rankings with 18.3 overs remaining at the Beausejour Stadium.

"There's no doubt that this was our best win in this World Cup tournament so far," said Ponting. "We've been building up to a performance like this for the entire tournament, and we think we've still got some improvement to come in the next game (final against Sri Lanka)."

He added: "Generally when the bigger games come around is when the Australian team stands up and we did that against South Africa, and I'm sure we'll do it again on Saturday."

Australia's victory was effectively sealed when South Africa, who won the toss and decided to bat first, slumped to 27 for five inside the first 10 overs and although Justin Kemp hit an unbeaten 49, they still recorded their lowest ever World Cup total - 149.

"It probably went better than we expected after we lost the toss," conceded Ponting. "When we lost the toss and had them at 27 for five it was a terrific start to the game.

"It was a dream start and we had them under pressure from the first over of the game really, which was what I expected the guys to be able to do."