Our World Cup starts now, says South Africa's Smith

BASSETERRE, St Kitts, Mar 21 (Reuters) For South African captain Graeme Smith, the 2007 World Cup begins with his team's Group A match against Australia on Saturday.

''The World Cup is really starting for us now, we had to get the first job done and we've done that,'' Smith told a news conference after his team beat Scotland by seven wickets yesterday to canter into the second stage of the tournament.

''The next couple of days will be important for our planning going into the game,'' Smith said. ''We're a very confident bunch of guys, each guy has had a good workout in these two games and we're running solidly.

''Both teams have a fair amount of match-winners and experience and it's all about who performs better on the day and who takes their chances.'' The two points from the victory in that match will be carried through to the next Super Eights stage of the event.

Smith said South Africa no longer played in Australia's shadow as they once did.

''We've come a long way against Australia, there isn't that fear factor any more,'' he said. ''There's a lot of respect on both sides of the fence.

''It's going to be a cracking game and hopefully we can perform well in it.'' 'GOOD PERFORMANCE' Smith said yestrday's match had been made more significant for his team by the death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, a former South Africa coach, in Jamaica on Sunday.

''The guys meant to put in a good performance for Bob and we're glad that we did that,'' he said.

The South Africans have been given the day off on Wednesday, time that Smith would use to learn a new skill.

''A couple of the farm boys in our side are taking me fishing tomorrow,'' he said. ''I hope I don't get too seasick. My main worry tomorrow is to remember to take some seasickness tablets.'' Scotland captain Ryan Watson had mixed feelings about his team's performance.

''We've improved a lot in terms of the scores we're getting, but I was slightly disappointed with the way we bowled up front,'' Watson told a news conference.

''We learnt how to field today. South Africa were magnificent in the field and there are some standards we're going to have to achieve if we're going to compete.

''I don't think we played as well as we could have and they played superbly.'' Like Australia and South Africa, Scotland face their own crunch match against fellow non-test playing nation, the Netherlands, on Thursday.

''We've got to go out and show that we're one of the top associate teams,'' Watson said.

The seven-week World Cup culminates in the Barbados final on April 28.

REUTERS PDS PM0559