New Zealand booked their place in a maiden World Cup final when they beat South Africa in an absolute thriller at Eden Park on Tuesday and we can only hope that Australia and India can replicate that quality when they clash in the second semi-final at the SCG on Thursday.
There is no love lost between these two sides and the tension is sure to turned up again in the pressure cooker that is a World Cup semi-final.
Australia
Australia have been 2015 Cricket World Cup favourites since the start of the tournament, which feels like it was two years ago, and they have played well without being overly impressive in any of their games.
Mitchell Starc has been the standout performer for Australia throughout the World Cup and he will prove key to Australia’s chances against India, while Josh Hazlewood has found form at the right stage of the tournament after taking 4-35 against Pakistan in the quarter-final.
The Australian batting has looked a little bit fragile and that was on display again against Pakistan, but there is so much talent in this line-up that can afford for the likes of David Warner, Aaron Finch and Michael Clarke to fail and still post a more than competitive total.
Have a bet on the Aussie’s in the head to head market against India in their semifinal match, and if they score 250+ runs but lose, you’ll get your CASH BACK! That’s money straight back into your account.
India
India took some very average form into the 2015 Cricket World Cup, but they have been able to turn around their form in the past six weeks and will be taking plenty of confidence into this clash with Australia.
India’s bowlers have been under pressure throughout their long summer in Australia, but the likes of Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami have come of age during this tournament and they need to continue to produce to give their side the best possible chance to qualify for the World Cup final.
Their batting has been hit and miss during the tournament, but with talented batsmen like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan they are always capable of producing a big score – although they failed to fire against the star-studded Australian bowling attack in the ODI Triangular Series before the start of the World Cup.
Australia vs India Betting
Australia have been very well supported with punters in the lead-up to this game and they have been backed into a quote of $1.40, while India are priced at $3 to keep alive their hopes of winning back-to-back World Cup titles. We are offering a special Innings Of Winnings betting market for this game and we have $6on offer for Steve Smith to top score for Australia and Australia to win and $12 available for Rohit Shamra to top score for India and India to win.
Place a top run scorer bet on the Australia and India clash and if your selection is either bowled or given out LBW, then you’ll get your stake back as a bonus bet. Max bet $100.
Australia vs India Statistics
Overall (ODI):
Australia Wins: 67
India Wins: 40
At The World Cup
Australia Wins: 7
India Wins: 2
Past Five Meetings
18/1/2015 Australia won by four wickets
2/11/2013 India won by 57 runs
30/10/2013 India won by six wickets
19/10/2013 Australia won by four wickets
16/10/2014 India won by nine wickets
Analysis
Australia have an excellent record against India at the Cricket World Cup, but the Indians will take plenty of confidence from the fact that they defeated Australia to eliminated them from the 2011 Cricket World Cup.
However, that match was played under favorable conditions for India in the sub-continent and that could be the telling factor in this game as India have a woeful record against Australia in Australia in all three forms of the game.
Australia’s fast-bowlers will prove key to their sides chances and it would not surprise if Mitchell Johnson, who has a quiet tournament by his high standards, really exploded and absolutely ran through the Indian top order.
India have been impressive during the World Cup to date, but this is easily the toughest test that they have faced and I’m not sure that there batting line-up is up to the tough task that awaits them against Australia in this crucial fixture.