World Cup S/F 2, Australia vs India, March 26

[shankycricket]

This match will depend on who comes out on top amongst Warner & Smith and Kohli & Dhoni.

Watching how the likes of Watson, Clarke and Maxwell played the short ball today, I'd quite fancy Umesh Yadav against them.

Although I don't face our openers or low order against the Aussie attack either. So yeah, I think it comes down to how those 4 players bat.

Toss will be critical, probably more so for Australia than India, who are a more accomplished chasing side. The lack of experience in this current Aus side when it comes to ICC Knock Out events also perhaps works in our favour.

Still Aus are the better side man for man and are slight favourites. But the toss will be crucial. Genuinely think we can do this, we've played some terrific cricket so far.

[rich1uk]

the above post makes me think of the south park episode with the alternative universe and all the characters were the opposite there, with evil cartman being nice

shanks seems to have been replaced by "evil shanks" who is optimistic and positive

[shankycricket]

I did say Australia are the better side and still go in as slight favourites. But India are definitely not the complete outsiders that they looked at the start of the WC even though many would've predicted this semi. The manner in which we've played and got there is what gives you confidence.

Doubtless to say Kohli is the key and I expect something special from him. Rahane too would be a key player like he was against Aus.

Not sure I'd fancy Rohit or Dhawan against the Aus new ball bowlers even though the latter scored a brilliant hundred against a quality SA attack.

[rich1uk]

I did say Australia are the better side and still go in as slight favourites. But India are definitely not the complete outsiders that they looked at the start of the WC even though many would've predicted this semi. The manner in which we've played and got there is what gives you confidence.

Doubtless to say Kohli is the key and I expect something special from him. Rahane too would be a key player like he was against Aus.

Not sure I'd fancy Rohit or Dhawan against the Aus new ball bowlers even though the latter scored a brilliant hundred against a quality SA attack.

it was still remarkably positive for you , we are used to you predicting doom and gloom

maybe you are finally shaking off the last vestiges of being an ex-England fan

[GarlicJam]

Great game in prospect. Good luck GJ / Australia - on this occasion anyway!

[GarlicJam]

I did say Australia are the better side and still go in as slight favourites. But India are definitely not the complete outsiders that they looked at the start of the WC even though many would've predicted this semi. The manner in which we've played and got there is what gives you confidence.

Doubtless to say Kohli is the key and I expect something special from him. Rahane too would be a key player like he was against Aus.

Not sure I'd fancy Rohit or Dhawan against the Aus new ball bowlers even though the latter scored a brilliant hundred against a quality SA attack.

it was still remarkably positive for you , we are used to you predicting doom and gloom

maybe you are finally shaking off the last vestiges of being an ex-England fan

a good post though.

[braveneutral]

Like cf says, it's a toughie. India have a great top six, but a weak 7-11, whereas Australia have more depth, and perhaps a more potent bowling line up, though I'd take India's top six ahead of their's..........maybe!

Australia it is.

[yuppie]

Before the world cup i would have said Australia easily. But since the tri series India have played well, and now its tough to pick.

Will Australia wilt under the pressure? India seem a different team to that which started the tournament. Tough to call for me still.

[Dr Cricket]

the above post makes me think of the south park episode with the alternative universe and all the characters were the opposite there, with evil cartman being nice

shanks seems to have been replaced by "evil shanks" who is optimistic and positive

TBH not surprised by india performance in the world cup.
I always thought Dhoni and the india players know what they were doing in ODI and they just need the quicks and player form to click and they would be fine.

I was never worried about india poor odi last year in Sa, NZ and tri series since apart from the tri series india didn't really try to use the odi to win game but mostly to get acclimatised to the test matches that followed and the Tri series was like the indian players were forced to play games against their own will.
Need some advice and tips.
got india to win the world cup on bet365 at 10/1 but I have no idea if I should cash out now or not.
I can cash out for 6.88 with an 1.88 profit.
Don't know if I should leave it and hope india to win the world cup or cash out.

Should be tasty game to bet on since I suspect to be lots of flips in this game with it really being a very hard game to call.

[rich1uk]

if I was you I would take my money and run

you might lose a few pound compared to what you would get if they beat Australia but you will be happy they won anyway

best of both worlds

let the money ride and they lose and its a double whammy

[ddb]

Have to let it run, don't cashout. It's only a fiver. That's like a pint nowadays. What's £1.88 good for? A freddo?

[rich1uk]

Have to let it run, don't cashout. It's only a fiver. That's like a pint nowadays. What's £1.88 good for? A freddo?

I was just looking at the odds , didn't really look at the payout

[Arthur Crabtree]

I've heard this as being billed as being predominantly sold to India fans. Wonder if that is realistic. Aussie fans fill stadiums pretty well.

[dan08]

I've heard this as being billed as being predominantly sold to India fans. Wonder if that is realistic. Aussie fans fill stadiums pretty well.

It will definitely be a sell out. India fans are everywhere - wouldn't be surprised if there's more Indians than Aussies at the SCG.

[GarlicJam]

I've heard this as being billed as being predominantly sold to India fans. Wonder if that is realistic. Aussie fans fill stadiums pretty well.

It will definitely be a sell out. India fans are everywhere - wouldn't be surprised if there's more Indians than Aussies at the SCG.

As an indication of how much there may be in Dan's comment - the other night for the Aus/Pak semi final, both NSW and Queensland versions of Channel Nine put the cricket onto their secondary channel in the evening, so they could show Rugby League games - no special games, just regular round 3. Australia's obsession with cricket is waning.

I have thought that the country as a whole has been quite underwhelmed with this World Cup - and the fact that the Adelaide Oval was nowhere near sold out for Friday's game, as well as my above point, illustrate this well. There was definitely more media noise around and about the Ashes, and very possibly the Big Bash drew as much interest.