Battle lines drawn as game’s powers clash

AUSTRALIA and India have had ample time in the past four months to work each other out, ensuring a level of tension for their World Cup semi-final expected to go well beyond the usual for a knockout game.

Australia all-rounder James Faulkner, pictured right, wouldn’t be surprised if there was some niggle and verbal exchanges, just like he’s not surprised that defending champions India shook off their poor form leading into the World Cup to win seven consecutive matches.

“They’ve spent a fair bit of time in the country, so they’ve adapted well to the conditions,” Faulkner told a news conference yesterday. “It’s no surprise they’re up against us in the semi-final, they’re a very strong team.

“You’re going to see two very good teams going up against each other – it should be a very good spectacle.”

Australia have won the Cricket World Cup four times and reached the final on two other occasions, but never on home soil. India has two World Cup titles, and became the first team to clinch one at home in 2011 after beating Australia in the quarter-finals, Pakistan in the semi-finals and Sri Lanka in the championship match.

India didn’t win a competitive match between the time the squad landed in Australia in November until their opening World Cup game against Pakistan on February 15. In that time, they lost a Test series to Australia, and were winless in a limited- overs tri-series against Australia and England.

There was some glaring aggression between the teams in the test and ODI series, with players on both sides sanctioned and warned that sledging would not be tolerated at the World Cup. Australian allrounder Shane Watson was fined last week for his part in an exchange with Pakistan paceman Wahab Riaz during a torrid spell of fast, short-pitched bowling that was easily the highlight of the quarter-final in Adelaide.

Faulkner said that exchange was “all in great spirit”, and he expected more spirited exchanges with a spot in the final at stake at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.

“There’s going to be words said and it’s going to be a really tough contest,” Faulkner said, adding that there was usually some sledging on the field. “It’s the nature of the game, it’s a semi-final. Cut-throat. Neither team will be backing down.”

India practiced at the SCG yesterday but, as has become the usual routine at the World Cup, remained off limits to the media until the eve of the match. The Sydney venue is expected to be packed with traveling India fans who may outnumber Australia supporters and possibly make it seem more like an away game for the locals.

“We were talking about it last night at dinner, the last game we played here it definitely felt like that,” Faulkner said. “The passion the Indian fans show toward their cricket team is sensational, so we’re definitely expecting that.” – Sapa-AP