West Indies captain Brian Lara (right) speaks with Ramnaresh Sarwan at their practice session in Jaipur, India, yesterday. The West Indies play South Africa today in the second semi-final match of the ICC Champions Trophy. - Reuters

JAIPUR, India (Reuters):

THE LACK of runs from South Africa's top order is a concern for captain Graeme Smith as his team prepared to face title holders West Indies in the semi-finals of the Champions Trophy today.

"It's a reality of this competition that it has been difficult to bat at the top order and whichever top order gets off to a good start will allow the rest of the guys to play a far more attacking and aggressive game," Smith told a news conference yesterday.

South Africa were reduced to 42 for five in their final group game against Pakistan before a 131-run stand between Mark Boucher and Justin Kemp rescued the side.

Get them under pressure

The West Indies have also had their problems, suffering from a lack of consistency. They were skittled for 80 by Sri Lanka before stunning world champions Australia by 10 runs.

"They've got some top-class players and if they play like that, they can beat any team in the world, like they've shown in the game against Australia," Smith said. "(But) their unpredictable nature can count against them.

"If you can really get them under pressure and get stuck into their middle order as quickly as possible, it will go a long way in curbing their strengths."

Smith expected the ball to swing but thought the sideways movement would not be as pronounced as it was in Mohali against Pakistan, where strike bowler Makhaya Ntini took five for 21.

"It will be up and down since there are a lot of cracks in the wicket. And as the ball gets softer, it will get more and more even," Smith said. "We have discussed most of the options and the things we expect but we are just going in to try and play our normal game. The key for us is to adapt to the conditions better than the other team, as has been the case in the last two matches."

West Indies captain Brian Lara said his team would carry forward the confidence gained by defeating Australia and pre-tournament favourites India, despite batting down the order himself.

"In the first game, we set a total that was beyond Australia and, in the second game, we chased down a total," the left-hander said.

"We got two centurions in the side, Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo (both against England). So we are quite happy with the way the guys are coming and expressing themselves."

RARING TO GO

The West Indies captain said they had not played South Africa much of late but were prepared for the big match.

"We have dissected the South African cricket team and we know exactly what we want to do against them," he said.

Lara, who is 63 short of reaching the 10,000-run mark in one-dayers, said the back problem he suffered during the Australia match has improved.

"I am not 100 per cent but getting over those two games (India and England) gave me the confidence to go on. I am fine," he said.