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Business News/ Industry / Media/  World Cup 2015: Australia enter 7th World Cup final after crushing 95-run win over India
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World Cup 2015: Australia enter 7th World Cup final after crushing 95-run win over India

Updates and analysis on the second semifinal of World Cup 2015

Shikhar Dhawan hits the ball while batting against Australia during their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Sydney. Photo: APPremium
Shikhar Dhawan hits the ball while batting against Australia during their Cricket World Cup semifinal in Sydney. Photo: AP

4.52pm: Starc knocked over the last wicket, that of Umesh Yadav there, bowled. He had no clue. That’s that, folks. India’s dream run in the World Cup has come to an end here. But Australia, clearly the better team. They take on trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand for the title at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Sunday.

4.48pm: Faulkner, nails India’s eighth and the ninth with similar deliveries. No feet, nothing as the ball castles the stumps. Ashwin and Mohit fall off successive delieveries. Faulkner on a hat-trick. India, 232/9 in the 46th.

4.39pm: The captain falls to yet another direct hit, this time from Glenn Maxwell. He hit it clean and scampered off. Maxwell with just one stump aim at, does exactly that and Dhoni falls short. India heading for the inevitable exit. A good knock from the captain comes to an end for 65. India, 231/7 in the 45th over.

4.32pm: And SIX! Dhoni hasn’t give up or err, given it back just yet. Brilliantly done by the Indian captain. Backs away a touch and flays it over extra-cover for a big one. Fifty for Dhoni. AND SIX AGAIN! Down the track and deposited into the crowd, just over the long-off boundary. MASSIVE from Dhoni. And a single there, from the Indian captain. Looks good for a few more there. Excellent over for India. A touch too late in the day, though. India now, 223/6 after 43 overs. Need 106 runs off 42 balls. Tough call there.

4.27pm: Another one falls, India now heading closer to exit. What a throw from Smith there! Direct hit. Dhoni played it for a single, and Smith picks it up. Jadeja backing up too far, fails to make his ground, as a direct hit from Smith sends him back. India now, 208/6 in the 42nd over.

4.21pm: Just 26 runs off the powerplay for India, losing Rahane’s wicket in the passage of play. These two need to stretch the game a bit longer. Clearly up against it, are India. Need over 130 runs off the last ten overs. And dropped! Has he dropped the World Cup? Not really. But Clarke drops Dhoni, a good ball, he tried to pull it and the ball went high. Clarke went for it, but popped out of the hands there. Close shave. And Jadeja flays his cuts through point. Ferociously done, that shot. India, 204/5 after 41 overs. Need another 125 runs off 9 overs.​

4.17pm: India now up against it. Needing in excess or 12 and a half runs an over. Dhoni and Jadeja out there in the middle. While singles and twos are going to keep India going, the boundaries are elusive. Australia keeping up the pressure on this pair, big time. Some release coming for India here, nine runs off that over from Starc. India, 192/5 now after 39 balls, needing another 137 off 11 overs. Some big overs needed here.

4.01pm: And out. Rahane out with the finest of outside edges off his bat. Angled away Starc, and Rahane, trying to steer it down to third man, could only find an edge. Haddin, safe as a bank there. Not given by the umpire initially, but Australia review it, and the decision has been reversed. India, 178/5.

3.51pm: India need a move on now. They’ve done the hard work by setting a good platform, but these two need to consolidate further. Worth the risk? Time will tell. After eight runs off that Watson over, just after the drinks break, just the ideal start to the business end of the innings. Rahane, who came in at a difficult situation, seems to have got his eye in. Johnson for Australia from the other end, and they’ve picked five runs of that over. India, after 35 overs, 170 for 4.

3.34pm: 150 up for India now, at the end of the 32nd. Still a long way to go. A lot of runs to get. But these two are looking good for India here. Mind you, they are India’s last recognized batting pair. Jadeja, not in great touch with the bat these days. At the end of 32 overs, India are 150/4, need another 179 runs with 6 wickets in hand. The required run-rate, in the meanwhile, has jumped to 9.94 runs per over.

3.31pm: Shot, Dhoni! He comes alive with a ferocious shot off Hazlewood. Great start to the 31st over there. That, by the way was India’s first boundary in 44 balls. Long time coming, that one. A single follows that boundary. These two have been running well between the wickets. Placing the ball nicely and haring between the sticks. The result? A good little partnership. Another four for Dhoni, to cap Hazlewood’s over here. He slashed it nicely, and it flew past slips for four. India, 148/4 off 31 overs.

Watson into the attack for Australia. With the situation that India find themselves in, a good time to sneak in the fifth bowler, split between him and Maxwell. And five runs off his over there. India, 138/4 off 30 overs.

3.21pm: Nice partnership between Rahane and Dhoni brewing it here. Hasn’t looked as bothered as the ones who departed earlier, just keeping the ones and twos going, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking over. India, 133/4 after 29 overs.

3.08pm: Dhoni joins Rahane in the middle and India’s innings as it stands is heading nowhere. The captain needs to stay there as long as possible and stretch this innings. Australia have kept the pressure since they got rid of Dhawan, and they’ve done it rather well. Not giving anything away, except for singles. The boundaries have been hard to come by for India. At the halfway mark, India are 115/4. Needing another 214 runs of the remaining 25 overs.

3.03pm: Clarke brings back Faulker into the attack. Faulkner, if you remember, was one of the bowlers targeted by Dhawan as he came onto bowl. India need to show some intent here. And they do, with a four. Nice shot there from Raina, who put it away past mid-wicket for four. Next ball, though, Faulkner gets his man. Tried to steer it to third man, the ball bounced on him just a shade, and took his edge en route to Haddin, who this time makes no mistake. India, 108/4 at the end of the 23rd. Sinking, are they?

2.58pm: Maxwell continues, and keeps it tight once again. Just four runs off his over, all of them singles. India need a good solid partnership, around 150+ runs. Just set the foundation for the likes of Dhoni and Jadeja to follow. They began well, but now are in some trouble with three wickets down. The hundred for India, meanwhile comes in the Maxwell over. They’re now 102/3 after 22 overs.

2.56pm: Starc continues, to bowl his fifth. And some words being exchanged there. Not short of sledges to Raina. Starts off with two dot balls, and Rahane plays the third ball of the over through the covers for a single. Good lengths from Starc to the left-hander. Kept it full and brought it back a touch, bowled at a good length there. Raina could only play it back to the bowler on both occasions. A wide, and a dot ball later, India now 98/3 after 21 overs.

2.50pm: Spin for the first time in India’s run-chase and Maxwell into the attack for Australia. And he’s just kept it to one run off the over, coming via a pull shot there. Tight from Maxwell there. Giving nothing away. India, 95/3 after 20 overs.

India have lost three wickets for 15 runs here. Mini-collapse. Starc on to bowl. Clarke sniffing something here. Two new batsmen at the crease, and only three runs off that over. India, 94/3 after 19 overs.

2.42pm: Rahane joins Rohit at the wicket and the two Mumbai batsmen have a job in hand now. Just to keep India in the game for a start. Johnson, after that wicket is bowling with his tails up (as they say), at full-tilt after a two-run over by Hazlewood. He’s steaming in and the pair can only manage singles at this stage. And SIX! Rohit opens up now, against the run of play, you’d imagine. Short from Johnson, and Rohit wastes no time in dispatching it over the mid-wicket boundary. Much needed six runs for India. Six and out, there. What a ball there from the left-hander. Pitched on a length, and just came into Rohit, trying to play through the line and could only see the ball crash into the right bail there. India, in some trouble, 91/2 from 18 overs.

2.28pm: And gone! The pressure from Hazlewood’s maiden pays off for Australia as Virat plays an atrocious shot there, the ball not there to be pulled, but he was committed to the shot. It took his top edge, and caught by Haddin. Virat out for 1. India, 78/2 in the 16th over.

2.20pm: Virat Kohli the new batsman for India, and he’s off to a rather cautious start against Johnson. Not in the best of form, after that hundred against Pakistan. But he’s off the mark with a single off the last ball of the over. India, 77/1 after 14.

2.16pm: And, GONE! Dhawan departs after giving India a quickfire start. Big big wicket for Australia, there. A touch wider there from Hazlewood, saw him coming down the track perhaps, and Dhawan timed it excellently, that inside-out shot over cover, only this time to find Maxwell at deep extra cover. India, 76/1 after 13 overs.

2.11pm: They’re targeting Faulkner here. First ball off his second, and Dhawan has driven it magnificently for four. Straight drive. Fierce shot, that. Faulkner clearly rattled from his last over. Shot again! Four more for Dhawan. Nothing on the ball from Faulkner, nothing on the wicket, as he comes down the track and puts it past the bowler for another boundary. Nine runs off this over already, including a leg-bye. Fourth ball of the over, and Dhawan pulls one away for a single. Australia need a wicket here. One more for Rohit followed by a couple, which Dhawan guided down to third man. Good, aggressive running by Dhawan and Rohit there. India, off to a fantastic start. 73 for 0 after 12 overs.

2.06pm: India have come through unscathed in that mandatory powerplay and the openers, after riding the initial storm from Starc and Hazlewood, have looked rather settled there. Just picking the singles and the twos, and targeting bowlers like Faulkner. Johnson, in the meanwhile, has looked off-colour. The radar, you’d imagine, is just not there. Straying down the leg-side a touch too much. Not as hostile as you’d thought he’d be. Just yet, that is. Five runs come off his over, and India are now 60/0 after 11 overs. Need a further 269 to win off 39 overs.

2.01pm: Faulkner into the attack now. And Clarke would be frustrated with this passage of play. They’ve bowled well, but no wickets to show. And he starts off with a no-ball there, overstepping the line. The free-hit hasn’t been taken advantage off, just the one. But Dhawan more than makes up for it in the next delivery, just walking down the track and crashing a half-volley through covers for four. Make that two in a row, Dhawan, times it perfectly this time to elude the diving fielder at wide mid-off. Four more. And six! SHOT from the left-hander. Came down the track, picked it up and dispatched it for six over square leg. Shades of Jayasuriya there, with that short-arm jab. Big, big over for India, 16 coming off it. India, 55/0 after 10 overs. Excellent start, you’d imagine. With that luck they deserved.

1.57pm: Johnson continues for Australia and he’s going round the wicket to Dhawan, who starts off with a couple of runs, neatly played through point. Next ball, and four. Superbly done, by Dhawan this time. Nice, firm punch off the backfoot, and the ball races through the gap towards the deep point boundary. The angle from Johnson i.e. taking the ball away from the left-hander just working to his advantage there. Johnson comes back over the wicket, and Dhawan plays out three dot balls to end the over. India, 39/0 after 9 overs.

1.52pm: Hazlewood, in the meanwhile, isn’t giving anything away. How costly will that Dhawan miss be for Australia? He’s looked rather comfortable since then. He pulls the second ball of the over, only for the long leg fielder to hurry across and keep it to one. Two more singles from that over, and India are 33/0 after 8 overs.

1.48pm: Mitchell Johnson into the attack now. SIX! Pitched it short, the length we’ve come to expect from Mitchell Johnson, and Rohit has hooked him magnificently over long-leg for a huge six. Ten rows back, you’d imagine. Not a bad start for India. No signs of panic either. He’s generating some pace there, as expected. But Rohit surely upto it. Looks good in the middle, does Sharma. And he plays out four consecutive dots to end the 7th over at 30/0.

1.45pm: Hazlewood for his third over, now. And good pace from the Aussie, playing in his home ground. Four runs from that over including 2 singles, and a couple off the last ball, neatly driven by Dhawan there. India 24/0 after 6 overs now.

1.41pm: The first ball of the over, Dhawan takes a single and the next one is left alone by Rohit. He gets three of the next ball, which he whipped away nicely towards the midwicket boundary. Another leg-bye from Dhawan there, but it as full and straight this time by Clarke. A loud appeal, but the ball would have tailed down leg side, as replays confirm. Good stuff by Starc here. The over ends with a short ball. India, 20/0 after 5 overs.

1.35pm: Rohit starts Hazlewood’s second with a single after which Dhawan pulls it nicely for four. Great shot from the left-hander there. Next ball, he’s edged it and Haddin DROPS Dhawan. Came down the track, the ball takes his edge, and the diving Haddin went for it only to drop. One run off the next delivery and a dot ball to cap the over. India, 15/0 after 4 overs.

1.31pm: Dhawan takes strike against Starc, and he’s bowled it full outside off, with the batsman not able to get it away. The ball takes an inside edge, no run. He follows it up with a leg-bye, with the ball going towards leg, and he tucks it away behind square for a single. Starc then bowls a low full-toss to Sharma, which he puts away for another single. No boundaries yet. And Dhawan negotiates the last three balls of Starc’s second over, with India at 9/0 after 3 overs.

1.29pm: Josh Hazlewood now from the other end. And he’s cut away first up for a single. Rohit, shouldering arms to one that was bowled at a length, leaves it alone. He leaves the third ball of the over. Cautious start after that first over by Starc. He manages to score two, after he couldn’t pull the ball well enough, the ball in the air, going over Haddin’s head. The last ball of the over is again, safely negotiated by Rohit. India, 7/0 after 2 overs.

1.24pm: Starc gets us underway here, and a cracker to start proceedings. Bowled it full, bringing Rohit on the frontfoot, trying to get him drive, the ball beats him through to Haddin. Another one from Starc, and the ball rears off a length. Rohit, left his bat inside the line. No damage done. He follows it up with another sharp delivery - fast. Just fended off his backfoot. Next up, full and luring Rohit into the drive, no feet this time, he falls for it and the ball takes the outside edge and Watson catches it in the first slip and claims the catch, albeit with some doubt. Replays suggested that the ball bounced just short before Watson picked it. And Sharma, this time has his way. Pitched up by Starc, slightly wide this time, and Rohit creams it past cover and point for four. India, 4/0 after 5 balls. The last one, jumped off a length and takes Rohit’s edge, but the ball fell safely to the second slip fielder. India, 4/0 after 1 over.

Can they pull it off? Not if you believe the numbers, which say that they haven’t successfully chased down a 300+ score in a World Cup match, let alone knockouts. And no team has chased down 300+ in a World Cup knockout match.

12.48pm: What a finish to Australia’s innings here. Johnson, swinging at just about everything there. And he’s connected most of them. A couple off the first ball from Johnson. Slower ball from Mohit, and Johnson gets a single. Haddin, trying to swing again, goes for one, only to drop out of Virat Kohli’s hand. Costly miss, given what followed later. A full-toss from Mohit, and Johnson put it away for four over mid-off. And then a SIX. Flat as you like. Slower ball from Mohit, and Johnson has put it over deep-midwicket. A single off the last ball, and Australia finish their innings at 328/7 off 50 overs.

This is the first time India have conceded 300 runs in an innings in this World Cup. Also, they’ve failed to do something we’ve come to expect from them this tournament—dismiss the opposition.

12.39pm: 300 up for Australia there, with that single off Shami’s final over. Big total, but could have been bigger, if not for that excellent clawback from India just after the powerplay. Some big wickets there for the defending champions. Johnson comes in, and he carts the first ball over mid-wicket for four. No one there. Australia, 304/7. Next ball, another four there. And another. Bad finish to Shami’s over there. 13 off the last four balls, 14 off the over. Australia, 313/7 now.

12.33pm: Mohit coming into the attack now. And he’s greeted with a four first up. That was wide and worse, a length from Mohit, and Watson made some room for himself and drove it past cover for four. Next up, two runs off a slog from Watson. And the third, Mohit digs it in short, and Watson pulls it beautifully through mid-wicket. AND, he’s got him with that slower ball, which Mohit is known for. He tried to slog it, no power on that shot, and he can only find Rahane at deep square leg. Australia, 298/7. Sharma finishes the over with a single to Haddin. Australia, with two overs to go, are 299/7.

12.23pm: Haddin, the new man in, began with two dot balls. Well bowled by Umesh there. But he creams the last ball past mid-on for four. Australia 288/6 after 47 overs.

And gone. Faulkner put the second ball of Umesh’s ninth for a four, and then Umesh had his man. Full and straight by the Indian pacer there. Faulkner, who has been backing away and clearing his leg all this while, nowhere near this one from Umesh, and the ball thuds onto his wicket. Australia, 284/6 at 46.3 overs

12.19pm: And six! Huge one there. Faulkner gets Jadeja’s over off to a perfect start with a slog-sweep that goes flat over mid-wicket and a single off the second. Jadeja keeps it nice and tight to Watson who struggles to get him away for the next two deliveries. The last ball of the over, a single and he keeps strike. Australia, 279/5 after 46.

12.16pm: Big over for Australia there off Shami. Went for 13 runs. Started off with a single, and then three to Watson there as he made room for himself and cleared the infield. Next up, a boundary for Faulkner, as he swung at a bouncer from Shami. He follows it up with another four, Faulkner pulled it nicely through deep square leg and long leg. Two yorkers from Shami, and at the end of the 45th, Australia at 271/5.

12.09pm: Ashwin back into the attack now, and he’s keeping it nice and tight. Not giving anything away. Gets his over off to a brilliant start, three dot balls. Two runs off the fourth and Watson finishes Ashwin’s spell with a huge six over mid-wicket. Australia with some much needed runs there, are now 258/5 off 44 overs.

12.06pm: Excellent comeback from India here, confirmed by this Mohit over. The wicket of Clarke aside, he’s given nothing away. Just two runs coming off, both of them singles. Australia stuttering along now, 250/5 after 43.

12.02pm: And gone. The pull isn’t coming off for the Aussies. They’ve lost Clarke to a mistimed pull now. Short from Mohit, and Clarke pulls it straight down Rohit’s throat. The Australian captain now out for 10, and Australia now, 5 down for 248 off 42.1 overs. Excellent stuff from India here.

11.59am: The Australian captain gets Jadeja’s over off to a good start, with a neat boundary off the first ball. Uses the pace of Jadeja’s delivery, which he fired onto the pads, and chips it over midwicket for four. Three more singles from that over, and Australia have moved along to 248/4 after 42 overs.

11.56am: India clawing back into the game well. Those wickets have helped. The last three overs have gone for just 8 runs, and the Aussies have lost two wickets there. Shami back for another spell, and he’s bowling well to Watson. They’ve tried the short ball and done it well. Not giving anything away. Australia, 241/4 off 41 overs.

11.52am: A quick over from Jadeja there. Just four runs off it. Dhoni clearly looking to sneak a few overs before the Aussies realise it. Australia, 239/4 off 40 overs.

11.49am: Australia with two new batsmen might just find it harder to surge. And if India can sneak in a few overs here, we’re looking at a total they should back themselves to chase. Umesh has been a touch expensive, but he’s given India the breakthroughs. Excellent over from Umesh there. Only 2 runs. Australia, 235/4 after 39 overs.

11.43am: India well and truly back in the game now. Finch walks back. Australia lose two in two overs there. Trouble. Short from the Indian pacer, and Finch trying to pull, mistimes it completely. The ball flies up in the air, and Dhawan pouches it safely at midwicket. Australia, 233/4 off 38.2 overs.

11.40am: And GONE! Ashwin removes Maxwell. Big big big wicket at this stage. Massive moment for India. Tried to clear the longer part of the boundary there and Rahane at deep backward square makes no mistake there. He couldn’t keep the sweep down. Australia lose their third for 232 in the 38th over. Maxwell out for 23.

11.38am: Australia, slowly pressing home the advantage here. Finch survives a leg-before shout from Yadav, just pitched outside off stump as it thudded into his pads. However, Maxwell, in the meanwhile, pulled the next one through long-leg for four. Short from Umesh there. Another short ball from the Indian pacer, and Maxwell goes big this time. A huuuuuuuuuuuge six over mid-wicket. A dot ball from Umesh, and four again. This is brutal from Maxwell. Hit it hard over Umesh’s head for four. Australia getting a move on now big big time. 231/2 after 37 overs. The powerplay, in the meanwhile fetched 64 runs for a wicket.

11.35m: The tennis shot is out, only for two runs though. Finch in the meanwhile, glanced it down wonderfully for four. Three singles off the last three balls from Shami. Australia, 216/2 after 36.

11.27am: Maxwell time now. Start off with a wide to Maxwell, and then he gets into the act. On his pads, and he puts it away for four. And Umesh follows it up with a wide and a single. Australia, at the end of 35 overs are 206/2.

11.21am: And gone. India finally, see the back of Smith for 105. That too with the short ball. He pitched it short, and it’s worked this time. It reared off head high and Smith, clearing his front-foot went for the hook, with no control. The result? A top edge to deep square leg, where Rohit makes no mistake. Australia, 197/2 off 34.1 overs.

11.18am: Australia opening up here. Flat six off the first ball from Mohit’s over. Short and wide, and Finch opening his arms now. Backing it away a touch, and a ferocious upper cut over point for a massive six. He’s getting a move on. Poor bowling from India over the last two overs, just losing the plot here. Looking ominous already. Follows it with a single. Smith, fresh off his hundred, picks the slower one from Mohit and boy, puts it over his head, towards the long on boundary for four. A single again from Smith, sensible stuff from the Aussie number 3. And the last ball, nonchalantly done by Smith there. Walking across, and Dil-scooping it behind the wicket for four. Australia, marching along at 197/1 after 34 overs.

11.11am: A hint of desperation there by Dhoni. Shami into the attack. Starts with a short and wide delivery, punched to backward point, no run. Followed with another short one, which he plays back to the bowler. And then, all the good start to the over undone by one full on his pads. Smith walks across, and puts it past long leg for a four. Next up, a huge six. Doesn’t care if he’s in the 90s. Four more to Smith. Nothing delivery, just short and he pulls it away for his hundred. Expensive over from Shami there. What a knock under pressure! Australia, 181/1 after 33 overs.

11.07am: India are struggling to contain the Aussies here. Just coming apart slowly. Ashwin has been nice and tight for India since he came on. Two singles to begin the 32nd over, and a reverse sweep is out, Finch using it to good effect, and getting two there. Next ball, a misfield from Rohit Sharma. Shouldn’t have been a run, ended up being two for Finch. Two dot balls from Ashwin to cap off the over, Australia now at 167/1 after 32. The partnership between these two is now 152 runs. They’ve batted rather well.

11.03am: Nicely done by Smith here. Punched firmly down the ground for a four off the first ball of the 31st over. Short from Mohit there. India need to get their act together. Pressure on Mohit now. Dhoni up to the wickets for the medium-pacer, but that doesn’t stop Smith from playing that shot. A single off the third ball for Smith, who’s currently batting on 85 - a phenomenal knock in the circumstances he walked in. Finch, in the meanwhile, moved across, and the ball struck his pads, but a shade outside off-stump. Not out. A single off the ball there, six runs off that over. Australia, 161/1 off 31 overs.

10.58am: Ashwin into his seventh over here, he’s bowled them straight through. Bowled reasonably well, fewer bad balls from the off-spinner. Starts off with a dot ball, followed by a sweep by Smith for a single and next up, a straight shot down the ground for a single again. Just the two runs off that over and Australia, at 155/1 at the end of 30 overs.

10.56am: Dhoni has thrown the ball to Mohit in a bid to get that elusive breakthrough, separating these two, who have been batting wonderfully well. And Mohit starts well, beating Smith, who tries to punch it, the extra bounce beating the batsman there. Another dot ball to start the over, but driven well off the third, came down the track and met it well for a couple of runs, before he clipped the fourth for one. The last ball, Mohit kept it short, and Smith pulled it for a couple. Australia, looking good for a big total here are at 153/1 off 29 overs.

10.52am: Ashwin has bowled well throughout the tournament, and he’s doing his job rather well here. Few bad balls, and four runs off his first three balls there. He finishes off the over well (albeit with a bad ball, which Finch missed out on) with three dot balls. India, 147/1 off 28 overs.

10.49am: Fifty for Finch here. He’s batted wonderfully well for Australia. Rode the storm early, overcame his struggles and now cashing in. Jadeja begins well, with four singles off his first five deliveries and then a four. This time to Smith, who came down the wicket and put it past mid-wicket with ease and some elegance there from the Aussie number 3. Australia, 143/1 off 27 overs.

10.46: India’s spinners have done alright here. Four dot balls from Ashwin’s over and amidst all of that, a run-out appeal. Smith drove it fiercely, and while it took Ashwin’s hands as it crashed into the stumps, but no problem there as Finch grounded his bat. Three runs off the last two balls there. Australia, 135/1 off 26 overs.

10.43: Jadeja in the meanwhile, is keeping a tight leash on the batsmen there. Full and straight, not giving anything away. A single off the next ball from Finch. And SIX. Not that short from Jadeja, but he went goes deep in his crease, and pulls it for a six over mid-wicket. A single off the next delivery, with a dot ball to round off the over. Australia coasting along nicely at 132/1 after 25 overs, the half-way mark.

10.40am: Beautifully done by Smith there. Full and wide from Ashwin, and Smith drives it against the spin past covers. Three runs the result. He follows it up with a single, and Finch too does the same. Five runs off the first three balls from this Ashwin over. One more from Finch in the fifth, and a dot ball to finish the over. Australia, 124/1 after 24.

10.36am: Jadeja, in the meanwhile, is keeping them honest. However, the first ball of that over is played to the leg-side for a single, which brings up the 100 partnership between the pair of them. They’ve batted well, these two. Rapped on the pads next up, and close. Replays showed it pitched outside off. India take the review, Dhoni seemed to be convinced by Jadeja there, and it stays not-out i.e. umpire’s call. Two runs more off that over, coming in singles. Australia, 118/1 off 23 overs.

10.33am: India, just dragging this back through the spinners. Or did we say it too soon? Ashwin, just short and wide there, good enough for Finch to drag back deep and cut it past point for four. Bad ball from Ashwin there. He was looking to get Ashwin away in the last couple of overs, that will relieve some of the pressure. He follows it up with a two and a single off the fifth and the last delivery of that 22nd over. Australia, 114/1 after 22.

10.29am: Jadeja resumes, and is mixing up his pace and length wonderfully. Great skills from Jadeja here. Cramped him for room, and the result, only two runs. Australia haven’t been able to get the spinners away, especially in the last three overs. Australia, 107/1 after 21 overs.

10.28am: Ashwin continues, and a single off the first ball. He’s keeping it nice and full to both bowlers, slowly bowled. The third ball of the over, he induces a false shot off Finch, trying a slog sweep, misses. Again, hit him high on the leg, and no damage done. Next ball, the ball spinning into the right-hander, some turn for Ashwin there, and Finch nervously, plays it just behind, evading the backward short leg fielder. The ball, racing towards the long leg boundary. Three runs for Finch there. Australia, capping off the 20th over at 105/1.

10.24am: Jadeja from the other end for India now. Both spinners on in tandem. The first ball is defended back to Jadeja, followed by a single. Fifty for Steve Smith off the last ball of the Jadeja over, excellent knock so far. Saw off the first few overs after Warner fell and cashed in on everything short by Yadav and co. Nicely paced innings too. Two runs off that over, Australia bring up their 100 after 19 overs. One wicket down.

10.22am: Ravichandran Ashwin into the attack now, and he’s right on the ball first up. Smith, playing it down the ground for a single. Nice line from Ashwin, and good pace too. Next up, wide outside off-stump from the off-spinner and Finch playing for the turn there, which wasn’t there. He’s bowling well. Two dot balls, including a shortish one from Ashwin, but no runs for Australia. The fifth ball of that over, Finch punched it down to long-off for a single, and the last ball, he draws an inside edge from Smith, but no damage done. Australia, 98/1 after 18.

10.19am: Smith begins with a couple after the drinks break, and then Mohit stays full for the next couple of deliveries, no runs scored. He dragged it back a touch, and Smith works it away for a single. Next up, short and wide from Mohit, and he cuts it ferociously in front of point for four. Nicely balanced there from Finch. Dot ball from Mohit to finish the 17th, and Australia steadying along, 96/1.

10.11am: Finch has his eye in now. Very full from Jadeja, tossed up there and he bludgeons it just through cover for four. Just sat up there for Finch to free his arms. Australia follow it up with a couple of singles, and they’re moving along nicely. At the end of 16, Australia, 89/1.

10.07am: Mohit, in the meanwhile, has gone about his business in his usual quiet manner. Staying accurate, keeping it nice and simple there. He’s mixing it up well too - pace, line and his length. Five singles from that Mohit over there, and Australia are 82/1 after 15 overs.

10.03am: Jadeja into the attack, replacing Kohli there. Dhoni must be banking on Jadeja to being in some control, and just pull the game back a touch. Two dot balls from Finch, and Jadeja gets him to take a risk there, backing away and cutting one for a single. Too much risk for a single. Smith, in the meanwhile, is the perfect player to have in this situation, rotating the strike well. And the last ball of the over, again, nicely to the pitch of the ball and whips it to get three past mid-wicket. Australia, 77/1 after 14 overs.

9.59am: Looks like India are overdoing this short-stuff now. Needless from Mohit. At Mohit’s pace, he can’t afford to keep it short. The first ball from Mohit, what you’d call gentle pace, pitched short, and Finch made no mistake there, pulling it comfortably past mid-wicket for four. Finch settling down now. Pressure on the bowler. Three singles after that boundary by Finch and Australia are 71/1 after 13.

9.55am: Surprise move from Dhoni there. Virat Kohli into the attack for his innocuous medium pace, shall we call it? Begins with two full deliveries and both played well for nothing there. And then, the short ball syndrome from Umesh’s last over. Pitched it short, and Smith, who must be enjoying this, shuffled across to pull it through mid-wicket for four. Two singles after that boundary, and Australia are 64/1 after 12.

9.52am: A good start from Mohit Sharma here. He’s been very very good at keeping up the pressure created by Shami and Umesh in the early part of the innings. And one run off his first ball aside, a tight over from the Haryana seamer. Australia, 57/1 off 11 overs.

9.47am: Short and wide from Umesh to begin the 10th over there and Smith with a not-so-convincing shot there, slightly in the air, but beats the gap between the point and cover point fielders en route to the boundary. Four again, consecutive boundaries for Smith, there. Short again from Umesh, and Smith dragged it through mid-wicket. The ball winning the race on this fast outfield. A dot ball from Umesh later, Smith pulled it for four. Fifty up for Australia. Not a great over from Umesh, chest high delivery from the bowler, and Smith, got into position early and pulled it through square leg effortlessly for four. And four again! Fourth of this over, and Australia are getting a move on here, 16 runs already. Another chest-high delivery from Umesh and rinse, repeat from Smith. Four more to the total Losing the plot there is Umesh. Australia, 56/1 off 10 overs. Australia have recovered from losing Warner early.

9.40am: Dug in short by Shami there, and a tennis shot from Finch there for a single to deep backward square leg. Didn’t know much about that one from Shami, looked like he bailed out of the pull shot, leaving the bat in the air. Smith plays one back to Shami from the next delivery, but some aggression from the bowler there, as he throws it back to the batsman’s end. Fine rhythm from Shami, keeping the pair of them honest. India not giving anything away in the last few overs, just 9 off the last three. Good pressure from the pacers. Australia, 40/1 after 9 overs.

9.36am: Its been gripping so far, the contest between bat and ball on a dryish wicket here at the SCG. The Indian bowlers have stood up to it well in the first seven overs, not giving anything away. And Umesh keeps up the pressure once again. Four runs off his over, and Australia are 38/1 after 8 overs.

9.33am: Shami has been impressive with his lengths, so has Umesh. Keeping it fuller, drawing the batsmen forward and importantly, making them play—that’s been their mantra so far. While Pakistan went short, India are going full. Shami’s fourth over begins with two in-swingers, slightly shaping into the right hander. And then, Smith, when pitched in his zone, just back of a length, pulls it for a single to long-leg. Shami finishes the over just the way he began—with two in-swingers. Australia, at the end of 7 overs, are 34/1.

9.29am: Umesh running in hard for his third, and a loud appeal off the first ball. Just short of a length from Umesh, and Smith getting way too across, even showing his leg-stump. But the ball struck him high on the pad and would have certainly gone over. No damage done. No review taken, either. Smart call by Dhoni there. And a good, quick delivery there by Umesh. Nearly 148 kmph by Umesh, swung in late, and Finch’s bat came down after the ball went past it. Excellent delivery there. And he caps off the over with a pull stroke, no timing on that one, fielded at mid-on. Just one run off that Umesh over. Australia, 32/1 after 6 overs.

9.24am: Australia are driving rather well. Now Finch gets into the act fabulously with a firm push straight down the ground for four. Shami overpitched it just a wee bit, and Finch got into position early and met it well. Lovely, lovely shot from the right-hander. Again, not a bad length from Shami there, despite conceding the runs. He follows it up with a couple, down to long leg. Again overpitched by Shami, this time to Smith and he picks it nicely off square leg for three more runs. Good fielding there. An expensive third over by Shami (his standards). Australia, 31/1 after 5 overs.

9.20am: Steve Smith the new batsman for Australia, and he gets off the mark with two. A dot ball later, he stays still and drives it beautifully through mid-off, hit it through the line for four. He defends the last two balls of the Yadav over, and Australia move on to 21/1 off 4 overs. Big over for India there, with the dangerman Warner back in the hut.

9.16am: And GONE and what a wicket! David Warner walks back to the pavilion, there. Excellent bowling from India. Pressure from Shami’s over showed. That ball might have stopped on him before it took Warner’s outside edge and Virat Kohli makes absolutely no mistake there. Australia, 15/1 off 3.1 overs. David Warner out for 12.

9.14am: Shami is swinging it rather well. In-swing, out-swing and everything in that over. Finch isn’t in the best of form since the first game against England. He’s looked rather tentative against Shami, there. Set him up superbly in that first over and now, just surprising him with exactly what he’s not expecting - a few outswingers. A wide off the first ball aside, an excellent over from Shami. Australia, 15/0 after 3 overs.

9.10am: Umesh taking the second new ball from the other end, and Warner punches him down the wicket for four. Beautifully played by Warner there. A tad overpitched by Umesh, and Warner met it nicely with the full-face of the bat. Umesh follows it up with a good delivery, which Finch nervously edges it through gully for a single. And six! Warner just pulled it beautifully, that last ball of that over from Umesh, and its cleared the ropes over square leg. Australia, at the end of two overs are 14/0.

9.03am: Excellent start by Mohammad Shami there. Great lengths to begin with. Fuller, beating both batsmen on a couple of occasions. India need to use the early swing, offered by the humid conditions and the new ball. End of the first over, Australia 2/0.

8.35am: Australian captain Michael Clarke won the toss and opted to bat first in the second semi-final of the World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Both teams have gone unchanged.

Teams

Australia: Aaron Finch, David Warner, Steven Smith, Michael Clarke (C), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood

India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (C), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma

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Published: 26 Mar 2015, 08:38 AM IST
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