The West Indies' Chris Gayle plays a shot during a match against England in the ICC Champions Trophy cricket tournament in Ahmedabad on Saturday. Gayle scored an even 100, his 14th one-day century, in the match. The West Indies lost but still qualify for the semis, where they will play South Africa on Thursday. Australia will challenge New Zealand in the other semi-final, an all-Oceania showdown, tomorrow. - Reuters

MOHALI, India (Reuters):

World champions Australia will bid to stamp their authority on a topsy-turvy Champions Trophy when they meet New Zealand in the first semi-final tomorrow.

Australia appear the team to beat as they chase the one major title to elude them since the biennial event started in 1998. Captain Ricky Ponting was cautious after his team was ousted in the semi-finals of the last two editions.

"It is going to be a tough game," he said after Sunday's victory over India in the must-win game. "It's going to be a big contest, we've got to be on our game."

Australia enjoy a 70-27 win-loss record against Stephen Fleming's side. They are 13-1 up in neutral venues and have won all six previous meetings in India.

"They enjoy playing one-day cricket, they haven't had much Tests to play," he said. "The conditions they're playing in suit them as well."

South Africa, the world's best one-day side after Australia, will also be on their guard despite past superiority over West Indies.

West Indies upset Australia on an under-prepared Brabourne Stadium pitch in Mumbai and their spinners could provide the edge on a slow Jaipur pitch. Jamaican Chris Gayle has hit two hundreds and taken eight wickets bowling off spin so far, providing the kind of spark his 24-year-old counterpart Shane Watson has done for Australia.