Australia has cruised to the Twenty20 World Cup semi-finals with a crushing six wicket win over the West Indies.

The victory pits the rampaging Aussies against defending champions, Pakistan on Saturday at Saint Lucia.

Ashlea Tighe reports.

[flashvideo file=https://www.qutnews.com/uploads/tv-2010-1/20100512-sports-wrap.flv /]

TRANSCRIPT

From the start, the Windies were in trouble losing skipper Chris Gayle on just the second ball of the innings.

The Aussies maintained pressure throughout leading the way, up and comer Steven Smith who finished with three wickets.

Including that of Darren Sammy for a Golden Duck.

Determined to register their third straight Super 8 win the Aussie started their run chase with a flourish.

Keeper Brad Haddon making a solid contribution his trademark hitting again adding sparkle.

The finish being an anti-climax five extras from the bowling of a dispirited West Indian leader.

And in motorsport – V8 fans are looking to Winton Raceway in central Victoria as the next chapter in the Supercars Champion Series unfolds.

The stakes are high and competition will be fierce on the weekend with two of the major V8 players racing head to head.

Jamie Wincup, Vodafone Driver: “Those guys have been ultra competitive we’re not jumping to conclusions and we’re not getting too far ahead of ourselves. We just go to do a good job and if we can do the best job at Winton and we want it more then I’m sure we’ll get it.”

James Courtney was victorious in Wincup’s home town after the Vodafone car experienced an engine failure in the second race. Now only 24 points separate the racing rivals.

James Courtney, Jim Beam Driver: “It’s not over till it’s over, there’s still a lot of racing to go yet. I think there’s going to be ups and downs from everyone from here on and we’ll see how we are at the end of the mix.”

Teams will arrive in Winton tomorrow to begin practice on Friday.

Ashlea Tighe, QUT News