Although Australia were virtually through to the semi finals – the West Indies would have to have beaten them by a mile – they didn't mess about at Gros Islet.
The West Indies had won the toss and put themselves in to bat. Now, it's not difficult to identify the West Indies strength: that would be their captain, the big-hitting opener Chris Gayle. Their weakness? They lack depth in the batting line up. Once Gayle falls, the rest tend to tumble behind him like dominoes. Australia's captain, fully armed with his pace dominant bowling attack and a promising young spinner, will have been as aware of this as anyone. He must have smirked to himself as Gayle announced his intention to bat.
Clarke sent in his star bowler, Dirk Nannes, to get things started. Nannes has had a great tournament thus far and will have relished the opportunity to ply his trade on Gayle. He wasn't disappointed. Gayle pushed the first ball out for four, Nannes bowled him with the second. Chanderpaul and Sarwan made a slight attempt at a stand, but it was put to an end with an impressive catch by one of the ever brilliant Hussey brothers.
In truth, the West Indies never really recovered from the loss of Gayle. At one point they were 60 for 5 and were bowled out for an anaemic 105 runs in nineteen overs. They had been completely steam rolled by the Aussie bowlers and had left them very little work to do for the win.
The Australian bowling figures speak for themselves: Johnson 2 – 22, Dave Hussey 2 – 3 and the Man who would be Warne, Steve Smith, on 3 – 20.
The Australian batting was led, once again, by Dave Warner who smacked four boundaries and a six before being caught by Gayle for 25. Brad Haddin picked up pretty much where Warner left off and, with support from Clarke – who has sneaked back up to number 3 somehow – and Dave Hussey, took Australia most of the way through.
In the end, it took the rampant Aussie side less than 16 overs to reach the required total and put the host nation out of the tournament.
So, we come back to where we began and Australia will meet Pakistan yet again, this time in the semi-final. Despite this fixture feeling a touch old hat by now, I don't imagine that Michael Clarke and his team will be taking anything for granted. Pakistan are a quality T20 side who definitely have the ability to cause an upset.
And need I remind any Aussie supporter of the five wicket maiden?
I think not.