BRIDGETOWN, April 27: They're the youngest slingers in town, but Shaun Tait and Lasith Malinga know that Saturday's World Cup final shootout can produce only one winner.

Malinga has never played a one-dayer against Tait's Australians.

But if the defending champions want information on how dangerous the Sri Lankan fast bowler can be, all they have to do is ask South Africa.

The Proteas had been starting the celebrations when, after four incredible deliveries, they turned to find themselves in deep trouble in a World Cup Super Eights game against Sri Lanka last month.

The cause of their unexpected pain was Malinga, the bleach-blond paceman with the distinctive, low-slung round-arm action and eyebrow ring who grabbed four wickets off successive balls to almost engineer an unlikely victory in Guyana.

On Saturday, he will meet Tait, the Australian tyro with his own slinging brand of delivery who has defied the sceptics at the World Cup by taking 23 wickets.

Malinga is 23 and Tait 24.

But both have been troubling batsmen with their pace and variations on their maiden Cup appearance. They are the second-highest wicket-takers in their respective sides.

The Sri Lankan has already made history when he became the first bowler in one-dayers to take four wickets off consecutive balls in that clash in Guyana.

South Africa looked set to complete a formality when they were 206-5 chasing a 210-run target before slipping to 207-9 and eventually winning the match by just one wicket.

Sri Lanka coach Tom Moody believes that facing Malinga in the nets would help his batsmen prepare against Tait.

“They might find adjusting to Tait's line and trajectory a little bit easier given they are used to facing Malinga in the nets,” said Moody, a World Cup winner as a player with Australia.

Tait has so far grabbed 23 wickets in 10 matches, behind only veteran paceman Glenn McGrath (25).

He may be sometimes expensive and sending down more wides than expected, but his captain is not complaining.

“Whenever I called on him to get us a wicket he's done that. He's still finding his feet in international cricket, but he has been a wicket-taker in middle overs. He has been very impressive,” said Ricky Ponting.

The South Africans were the latest to face the fury of Tait, who captured four wickets to set up his team's emphatic seven-wicket victory in the semi-final.

Tait had figured in just four One-day Internationals before the World Cup and his amazing success story meant Australia did not feel the absence of fast bowler Brett Lee, ruled out of the tournament due to an injury.

Malinga has also been striking at crucial stages.

He has so far taken 16 wickets in seven matches and is behind only off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan (23).

Moody has described Malinga as ‘unique’ who has given his team more bowling options.

“Everything about him is unique – his very unique action, unique hairstyle, unique that he bowls at 90 miles an hour,” he said.

“We tend to get a few (unique bowlers) in Sri Lanka. We've had Murali over the past decade or so who has been a pretty special bowler and still is a special bowler.

“This guy is a little bit different.”—AFP