As Herschelle Gibbs learned at Headingley in 1999, catches win matches – and World Cups.

South African Gibbs dropped Steve Waugh in the classic World Cup semi-final, which Australia went on to win en route to lifting the trophy.

In Twenty20, the importance of fielding is amplified and coach Darren Lehmann expects it to be crucial in deciding the upcoming tournament in Bangladesh.

“Fielding will win you a World Cup,” Lehmann said on the eve of Australia’s departure to Dhaka.

“I think it happens in all formats, a run-out or a spectacular catch.

“Or just stopping those balls that (are going) for four.

“From our point of view, we keep working hard on that and striving to be the best fielding team in the world.”

There was a lot to like for Lehmann as his side wrapped up their tour of South Africa with a comfortable six-wicket win and 2-0 T20 series triumph in Centurion.

But high on the list was the clinical way they fielded.

“We were really sharp, and that’s something we’ve probably done better than South Africa over the whole tour – Tests and T20s,” Lehmann said.

Skipper George Bailey suggested it was the best Australia’s T20 side had fielded “in a long time”.

Bailey and Lehmann both admitted confidence would be sky high as Australia leaves Johannesburg on Sunday with five consecutive T20 wins to their name.

But Lehmann noted there would be little room for error from his team, as they seek to deliver the one major piece of cricket silverware that has so far eluded Australia.

“It’s a pretty cut-throat tournament. You’ve got to win three of your four (pool games) to get through to the semi-finals,” he said.

“That’s probably a good thing for us, because of the way we play.”

Before Lehmann helped turn the Test side’s fortunes around, he was renowned for T20 coaching success – having won Indian Premier League and Big Bash League titles.

Lehmann believed selflessness, discipline and a little bit of dash were the keys in cricket’s shortest format.

“X-factors. Players that are prepared to do anything for the team, at any given time,” he said.

“We have some pretty good team rules and the boys follow them brilliantly, so I’m really proud of that all the time.”