After Australia had been beaten hollow by South Africa in all the Carlton United series qualifying matches, Waugh said that, ``Australia can win the finals.'' He felt that South Africa had a history of under-performing in big matches and he was proved right when Australia lost the first in the best of three finals then came home with a rush to win the trophy. Waugh is a player who has great self-belief and he displays the same trait when it come to his team.

It is deeds not words that win cricket matches, so lets see if there is any basis for Steve's confidence.

Australia chances of winning the final have improved in the last few days. The recent form of Ricky Ponting and Mark Waugh is a real confidence boost, as both are proven big score players and when Mark makes a century, Australia generally win. He likes batting in India having made three centuries here during the last World Cup.

Big totals in one day matches,particularly finals, are usually built on a big contribution from a top order batsman. In this case both teams are well endowed as Australia have Adam Gilchrist to assist Ponting and Waugh, while India boast Sachin Tendulkar, Mohammad Azharuddin and Saurav Ganguly all in good form. However, both teams are capable of recovering from early setbacks through Ajay Jadeja, who is in rare form, and one of the best retrievers in the limited overs game, Michael Bevan.

A big innings from Mark Waugh would help alleviate this problem, as his footwork is quick and decisive when playing the spinners. Consequently, Venkatesh Prasad's spell with the new ball will be vital for India as he can trouble Mark with his lively leg-cutter.

If the young bowlers hold their nerve India will have a big advantage over Australia. Shane Warne will bowl well in the final, as he is a class performer, is currently bowling well and his competitive juices flow in a big match. There is one query with Warne. He dived for a catch late in thegame against Zimbabwe and came up holding his shoulder. Any damage to his million dollar right arm would be terminal for Australia as the back up spin bowling has been lacklustre in the one day series.

Gavin Robertson has been given no time to settle by batsmen who have attacked him from the outset. Bevan is wayward at the best of times and the Indian batsmen have been dealing harshly with his loose deliveries, while Darren Lehmann is a part-timer and his introduction is always a gamble. The Australian attack relies heavily on Warne and the pace duo of Michael Kasprowicz and Damien Fleming. If the opening bowlers don't take wickets with the new ball then Tendulkar could dominate. Australia's bowling stocks did receive a boost when Steve Waugh showed he's fully recovered from injury by bowling a full complement of overs against Zimbabwe. His coolness under pressure with the ball will be invaluable.

In general it is the star players who win big matches. Australia, perhaps, hold a slight advantage in thatboth sides have three batsmen in that category, but Warne is the only bowler in the match of that ilk.

However, India posses the two big pluses. Tendulkar is the most dominant batsman and if the young bowlers hold their nerve Australia's fragility against spin will be exposed, especially if they have to bat second on a pitch that will probably deteriorate. Winning the toss will be important.On the lead up form, India is the best-equipped team in these conditions.