ICC Cricket World Cup: Australia face up to India threat

Adelaide: Australia fear India’s familiarity with the conditions here can make them tough World Cup semi-final opponents on Thursday.

Michael Clarke’s side booked a last-four clash with the defending champions on Friday, when they eased past Pakistan by six wickets in their quarter-final at the Adelaide Oval.

Though Australia dominated India in the run-up to the World Cup — in Tests as well as one-dayers — India have produced a remarkable transformation that has Clarke and his men worried.

“The main factor [behind India’s turnaround] is they’ve worked out conditions and they’ve spent so much time here. I think MS Dhoni deserves a lot of credit the way he’s been able to turn things around as the leader, as the captain,” Clarke said.

“They’re playing some really good cricket, there’s no doubt about it. We look forward to that challenge.

“We’ve got some time now to recover and make sure we’re fresh and then obviously train and prepare. Our attitude will be exactly the same as it was leading up to this game. Thursday becomes our World Cup final. We look forward to it.”

With the Sydney wicket having helped spinners in the first quarter-final between South Africa and Sri Lanka, Clarke was asked whether India may have the upper hand. But he said: “I don’t think any ball spun in the game that we played against Sri Lanka [in Sydney in the group stage]. I think it will depend on the wicket that gets prepared.

“The game that was played there recently looked like it had a bit of grass on it, so that would certainly help our fast bowlers if the wicket was like that. If it does spin, we’ve got spinning options in our squad, so I’m sure the selectors will assess that once we get to the Sydney Cricket Ground and work out what they think is the best 11.

“I have got confidence that, whatever 11 is selected, we play our best cricket, we give ourselves every chance of winning that game in whatever conditions.”

With Pakistan having played against India as well as Australia, Misbah was asked who he would back to win their semi-final.

“I think both sides are really playing good cricket. It is going to be really a tough match,” he said. “They are both in form and India also have a chance because they are playing in Sydney and the Sydney pitch, everybody knows, is a little bit helpful for the spinners. Also both of their spinners are really bowling well and their batting is really in form.”

But Clarke also had faith in his spinners, saying: “We didn’t pick Xavier Doherty today, but I think he’s been a really good spinner for the Australian team over the last few years. So if the wicket does spin, I think the selectors have that option.

“Obviously we have got Glenn Maxwell, who bowled tonight and picked up a couple of wickets. Hopefully I can bowl a few overs and we’ve got Steve Smith as well. I think we’ve got spinning options, but we’ll wait and see what the pitch is like before taking any decision.”