Cric Wc: Sf2: Ind Vs Aus... Aus 206/2... 35 Ovs..

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Australia's batting vs India's death bowling

 

India's perennial problem has been it's death bowling. In this tournament, the bowlers haven't been tested at the death thanks to some brilliant bowling by the pacers at the start and then by the spinners in the middle overs.

 

It could turn out to be a tricky for India as Australia bat very deep, with Brad Haddin coming in at No. 8, James Faulkner is one of the cleanest hitters and one of the best finishers in the business and still after Haddin they have Johnson and Starc who could swing the bat.

Australia have averaged 114.66 in the last ten overs in matches in which they have played full 50 overs and this spells ominous signs for the India bowlers. The best strategy for them would be to do what they have been doing best, bowl out Australia inside 40 overs.

 

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Facts

 

It is going to be a thriller at the Sydney Cricket Ground on March 26. Both India and Australia have played exceptional cricket in the World Cup. It is going to be a big game between both the teams. Here are some facts about India and Australia as they gear up for the semi-final.

 

1: Australia are the most successful World Cup team having won the tournament four times, and ending as runners up on three occasions.

 

2: This will be the first ever meeting between India and Australia in a World Cup semi-final. Previously they had faced in league, super six, quarter-final and final.

 

3: The two teams have faced 10 times with Australia having the upper hand with a 7-3 advantage.

 

4: Australia have never lost a World Cup semi-final. They tied one game against South Africa in 1999 and have won five in 1975, 1987, 1996, 2003 and 2007.

 

5: Ajay Jadeja is the only Indian World Cup centurion for India against Australia in the World Cups.

 

6: If the semi-final between two sides is abandoned then India will progress to the final as they finished higher in the group phase. They topped Pool B while Australia were No. 2 in Pool B.

 

7: Most runs: Ricky Ponting (Australia) 303 runs (5 Innings, Average 101), Sachin Tendulkar (India) 194 runs (6 Innings, Average 32.33)

 

8: Most wickets: Steve Waugh and Craig McDermott (Australia) - 8 wickets, Kapil Dev (India) - 9 wickets

 

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Match Facts

 

Sydney: Ten match facts for Thursday's World Cup semifinal between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

 

1: This is the first World Cup semifinal between these teams. Previous World Cup knockout stage matches have produced one win apiece (Australia won the 2003 final, India a quarterfinal in 2011).

 

2: Australia have won their last 12 completed one-day Internationals on home soil.

 

3: Aaron Finch has been the subject of six lbw appeals in the tournament, more than anyone else -- his dismissal against Pakistan was the first time in 28 dismissals that he fell lbw.

 

4: Shane Watson is one of two players to score at least 500 World Cup runs at an average of at least 50 and a strike rate of 100+ (AB de Villiers is the other).

 

5: Glenn Maxwell has scored 77 runs from the 54 balls Ravichandran Ashwin has bowled to him in ODIs, hitting four fours and seven sixes. He has been dismissed once.

 

6: Maxwell (30.5%) has the lowest dot ball percentage in the tournament, minimum 50 balls faced -- he has hit 301 runs from 164 balls.

 

7: Rohit Sharma has hit 124 runs from the 108 balls James Faulkner has bowled to him in ODIs, without being dismissed.

 

8: Mohammed Shami (69%) and Mitchell Starc (68%) have the two highest dot ball percentages in the tournament, minimum 50 balls bowled.

 

9: Mitchell Starc has the lowest ODI bowling average (17.4) and strike rate (22.5) in Australia, minimum 50 wickets taken.

 

10: Shane Watson has reached 50 in three of his last four, and four of his last six, ODI innings at Sydney.

 

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5 reasons why India can trump Australia in the World Cup semis

 

 

Reason 1 | Last two ICC ODI events - India 2 Australia 0
 
Winning is a habit. India has won the last two ICC ODI events — the 2011 World Cup and the 2013 Champions Trophy. The victories cannot be brushed off under the "sub-continent" pitches carpet because the Champions Trophy was hosted by England and Wales.
 
And how did Australia perform in these tournaments? In Champions Trophy, it failed to win one match. It lost to Sri Lanka, England and escaped defeat against New Zealand as rain interrupted the chase.
 
On the other hand, India’s never-fancied bowling unit defended a total as low as 129 against the English team in the final and stole victory from the jaws of defeat.
 
We all know what happened during the 2011 World Cup. Yuvraj Singh's roar after hitting the winning runs against Australia in the quarter-final is etched in Indian hearts.
 
In the present, India would not mind the mind games from Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Johnson. If history repeats itself, it doesn’t apply to Australia alone. 
 

 

Reason 2 | All-out magic!
 
In the last four years, Australia have lost 14 of the 18 matches in which they have been all out. That's a loss track record of nearly 78%.
 
This World Cup, India have bowled out the opposition in all seven matches. While racking up 70 wickets in seven matches, India have not conceded 300.
 

 

Reason 3 | Spin win
 
"Playing in Sydney, Australia will miss a good spinner," Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq said. And who is Australia's lead spinner? Glenn Maxwell, who says he can do the role. His words: “I’ve taken a couple of wickets this tournament… I feel like I’ve been doing the job that Michael Clarke has been asking of me...”
 
Even in one game, aren’t batting and bowling two different ball games?
 
Is it true that SCG supports spinners? 
 
A look at top bowlers in terms of 'averages' at the SCG in the last four years shows of the first 10, six are spinners!
 
In terms of economy too six out of the top 10 are spinners.
 
Ravichandran Ashwin (12 wickets) and Ravindra Jadeja (9 wickets) wouldn’t mind that. If Maxwell fancies his chances, so will Suresh Raina and Rohit Sharma.
 

 

Reason 4 | Performance of Indian bowlers
 
Australian quicks want a bit of grass on the SCG pitch and India will be watching, as they should be ahead of a semi-final, this keenly. If it works for Aussie quicks, it also works for Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma.
 
All three Indian pacers are in the list of bowlers with 11 wickets or more. Mitchell Starc is bowling brilliantly and is the only Australian on the list.
 

 

Reason 5 | Batsmen mean business
 
Neither Umesh Yadav nor Mohit Sharma has had to bat for India. Even Shami got to bat in only two matches at the end of the innings. Shami has faced a total of 8 balls; and Ashwin and Jadeja have faced 41 and 42 balls.
 
Australians have been all out once and lost 9 wickets twice.

 

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Team Dhoni Can Hurt Michael Clarke's Men

 

In World Cup 2015, Australia have had a good run of form but they haven't looked invincible. Mitchell Starc has ripped the heart out of opponents but Australia as a team has lacked the steel that they have been infamous for.

 

On the eve of the semi-finals with India, Australia have been talking a lot. Glenn Maxwell has already reminded India of their poor Aussie tour while James Faulkner has said that sledging will be 'inevitable' in such a high pressure encounter. It's a part of their game and against familiar foes India, they intend to use their age-old tactic of 'mental disintegration'.

 

Australia are definitely favourites on their home grounds but have a few gaping holes that India could take advantage of

 

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Team Dhoni Can Hurt Michael Clarke's Men

 

The Opening

 

 

 

Aaron Finch started World Cup 2015 with aplomb against England but since then has been in woeful form. After smashing a hundred to smear England's opening campaign into dust, Finch has fallen into a slumber. With just 64 runs in the next five digs, the right-handed dasher is in a spot of bother.

 

Finch has been trying too many shots too early in his innings and has made some silly decisions. He even wasted the DRS call against Pakistan!

 

However, he is still an important part of the Aussie batting. He's explosive and along with David Warner can ransack an opposition. Against an in-form Indian pace bowling, Finch would be tested. Mohammad Shami and Umesh Yadav have been hitting the strides early and Finch might land into a soup if he tries to hit his way out of trouble

 

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Team Dhoni Can Hurt Michael Clarke's Men

Michael Clarke

 

 

 

The World Cup has been anything but a smooth ride for the Australian captain. He has been an emotional roller-coaster on and off the field and has been battling through a lot of pain. The Aussies started the tournament without him and till now, Clarke has failed to create a major impact.

 

Clarke's addition has made the middle-order solid but there hasn't been any significant contribution from his willow. In fact, the way he crumbled against a fiery Wahab Riaz should encourage the Indian pacers to test him with the short delivery.

 

Leading the side, Mitchell Starc has made his job much easier. However, Clarke has failed to find a solution to Australia's spin problems in the middle over. If Australia crashes out against India, there would be serious questions as to whether Australia are better off under the leadership of a more like-able George Bailey or the young superstar Steve Smith.

 

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Team Dhoni Can Hurt Michael Clarke's Men

Spinners

 

 

 

 

This has to be Australia's biggest blind spot. A country that once produced the classy Shane Warne and Stuart MacGill, has gone into this World Cup with Glenn Maxwell and Xavier Doherty as the lead spinners. Both are far from top class and not even close to Test off-spinner Nathan Lyon

 

Till now, the Australian pacers have delivered the goods and the opposition has failed to take advantage of their weakness but the partnership between Tillakratne Dilshan and Kumar Sangakkara during the league phase has left their vulnerability exposed to the entire world.

 

Against a quality side like India, the Aussies will miss a spinning option to choke the runs during the middle-overs. India will be aware of it and would be waiting to pounce. Maxwell might be ready to take on the role of the lead spinner but MS Dhoni will have a quite smirk on his face if the Sydney pitch dries up in time.

 

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Aussies can Hurt the Men in Blue

In less than 24 hours, the Indian team will be all set to play one of their toughest encounters of ICC World Cup 2015. Facing Australia on their own turf is tough. Doing it in a semifinal of a world championship is tougher.

India have been in splendid form. They started their campaign on the back of some really poor performances but the ICC event seemed to have flicked the switch on in them. They have beaten bigger teams and crushed the minnows

 

Then again, cruising through group stages is one thing and facing the Aussies in a knockout game is a different kettle of fish. At the Sydney Cricket Ground, MS Dhoni's men need to turn up with their A-plus game.

India, as a unit, have been in sparkling form. The bowling has undergone a massive makeover, the batting has chipped in and the fielding has been electric.

 

However, there are a couple of blind spots that the team management needs to address before the all-important semis

 

 

 

 

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Aussies can Hurt the Men in Blue

 

The openers

 

 

Shikhar Dhawan has scored runs. Rohit Sharma has scored runs. They haven't scored enough runs together. Individually, both Indian openers have contributed to the team's cause but as a pair they haven't done enough.

 

Barring the game against Ireland, where the Indian openers put on 174 runs, India have always lost a wicket up front. Against Australia, this trend needs to be reversed. The openers need to see out the opening burst from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood. Starc has been devastating and takes wicket in a bunch.

The Indian openers need to blunt this threat and give India a solid start if not a blazing one.

 

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Aussies can Hurt the Men in Blue

 

Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane

 

 

 

The first blind spot leads to the next one. If India lose an early wicket, Virat Kohli will have to face Starc with the new ball. Kohli has had a mixed tournament. He started off with a classy hundred against Pakistan but since then, hasn't got going.

 

He's made some pretty thirties and has been involved in quite a few key partnerships but then, India expect much more from the Delhi lad

 

Kohli is due a big one and the Indian fans would be delighted if the 25-year-old takes things in his own hand against the Aussies. The Aussies will bully him but Kohli is a big match player. It doesn't really get bigger than Australia in World Cup semis.

 

If India lose two wickets up front, that will expose another blind spot for them -- Ajinkya Rahane. Except for the South Africa game, India have not needed his services. He has been pushed down the order a bit to promote the hard-hitting Suresh Raina but Rahane has just not been in his elements.

 

Against Australia, Rahane is a key player. Batting at four, he may need to play a dual role. If India lose a couple of early wickets, he will have to stand up against Starc and company. However, if India get off to a decent start, Rahane will be required to maximize the weak link of Australia -- their fifth bowler.

 

India's number three and four have not been in prime touch but come Australia will be the men around whom the innings would hinge on. India have managed to see off games without major contributions from them but at the SGC, against the Aussies, they will need to step-up their game.

 

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Aussies can Hurt the Men in Blue

 

The weather and venue

 

 

If It's raining in Sydney and that could be a major spoiler for India. The pitch has been under covers and there has to be a lot of sweating on the track. India would definitely not a fancy an overcast SCG with a track with moisture in it against the Aussie pace battery. The sweating also negates the threat of Ravichandran Ashwin. The moisture may help the ball grip the surface a touch but MS Dhoni would have preferred a sunbaked SCG.

 

According to the experts SCG is a good venue for India to take on Australia but records suggest otherwise. The SCG has been kind to India in Tests but in the ODIs, India's record at Sydney is appalling - 12 losses in 14 games against Australia. The men in blue have won just a single game in the last 35 years at Sydney.

 

It's going to be a tough ask for India but then again, World Cup semis aren't meant to be easy. The scales might be tipped in favour of the Aussies a bit but this Indian unit is highly adaptable and on current form is a definitely on equal footing with the Aussies.

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India's road to semis:

 

India outclass Pakistan, again!

 

 

 

 

The biggest battle of the World Cup was always going to be an India vs Pakistan clash. Arch-rivals faced off in front of a packed Adelaide Oval but it was the humongous group in blue that had the last laugh again.

 

India maintained an unbeaten record against Pakistan in World Cups by cruising to a dominant 76-run win, courtesy a century from vice-captain Virat Kohli. Opting to bat first, Kohli partnered Shikhar Dhawan (73) to help India score 300. Suresh Raina played a responsible knock of 74.

 

In reply, Pakistan could not mount a serious challenge as Indian pacers bared their new-found claws and walked away with wickets galore. While Mohammad Shami's four for 35 stole the limelight, Umesh Ydav and Mohit Sharma claimed two each to systematically break down Pakistan's batting.

 

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India Pummel South Africa

 

 

 

 

It was billed as the battle between India's revered batting and South Africa's feared pace. In the end, both adjectives were together used for an all-round and comprehensive performance from the defending champions

Opting to bat once again, India breached the 300-run mark once again with Dhawan completing a century this time. His 137 off 146 balls was crucial in helping his side score 307 -- a total which would assure India a mammoth 130-run win. Since Rohit Sharma had fallen without scoring, Kohli's 49 at No. 3 was crucial as well but it was the maturity of Ajinkya Rahane (79) that helped Dhawan lash out and post a challenging total.

 

South Africa's chase was doomed by the 11th over when openers -- Hashim Amla and Quinton de Kock -- were sent back by the Indian pacers. Faf du Plessis did manage 55 but it was in vain as Shami and Mohit claimed two each. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin though led the wickets tally with three for 41 that broke Proteas' middle-order. Dangerman AB de Villiers' run-out was a crucial turning point in the match as well -- one that would gift India another three points in their World Cup campaign.

 

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India storm past UAE

 

 

 

Bolstered by their two wins against strong teams, the Indians brushed aside minnows UAE with casual arrogance. A nine-wicket win at WACA showed that the side had not let complacency set in and was in a mood to perfect its plans, regardless of the opponents in the league stage.

 

A brave UAE side chose to bat but that was where their bravery ended. Ashwin (four for 25) cast a web of spinning deceit around the opposition and the rather 'naive' UAE batsmen fell right over -- crashing to 102 in 31.3 overs.

 

Rohit saw his opportunity to plunder some runs and his unbeaten 57 powered his side to a win in the 19th over.