Australia thrash India by 95 runs to set up World Cup final against New Zealand

Joy Chakravarty 15:31 26/03/2015
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  • Australia celebrates taking the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja of India in the World Cup semi-final.

    India’s magnificent run in the 2015 World Cup came to an end in the semi-finals yesterday when co-hosts Australia crushed them by 95 runs at Sydney Cricket Ground.

    Set up a target of 329 runs to win in front of a capacity crowd dominated by Indian fans, the defending champions were stymied by the ruthless efficiency of the Australian bowling attack and fielding after a bright start and could only manage 233 before they were bowled out in 46.5 overs.

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    Michael Clarke and his men will now have an opportunity to battle for a fourth World Cup crown in last five editions as they take on New Zealand in the final on March 29 at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

    Australia won the toss and decided to bat first, even though seven out of the last 10 matches in Sydney have been won by teams batting second.

    The Australian innings was built around a sparkling century by Steve Smith (105, 93b, 11×4, 2×6) and a subdued but equally important contribution from Aaron Finch (81, 116b, 7×4, 1×6).

    Steve Smith acknowledges the crowd as he leaves the field after being dismissed for 105.

    The two came together after the early dismissal of David Warner, who fell in the first ball of the fourth over with the score on 15, and added 182 runs for the second wicket.

    Smith, who scored a century in each of the four Test matches against India this summer, took heavy toll of the Indian fast bowlers, who did not get their lengths right in the match.

    At one stage, even after Smith’s dismissal, caught brilliantly in the deep by Rohit Sharma with the sun in his eyes, Australia looked certain to score close to 375 as they had reached 232-2 in the 37th over with Finch set and Glenn Maxwell going great guns.

    But both batsmen fell in the space of one runs in five balls, and Indian bowlers then did very well to restrict Australia to 328 for seven. It could have been even less, but for some free-spirited hitting by Mitchell Johnson towards the end as he made 27 runs in just nine balls.

    The important thing for India in the chase was to get off to a good start, which is exactly what the openers Shikhar Dhawan and Sharma provided them.

    The duo added 76 runs for the first wicket in 12.5 overs, with Dhawan particularly harsh on James Faulkner, whom he carted around for 29 runs in his first two overs.

    Dhawan was dropped by an overenthusiastic Brad Haddin when on five, when he dived long and hard in front of the first slip to catch a nick of Josh Hazlewood, but spilled it. It would have been an easy catch for the slip fielder.

    But the Indian challenge crumbled the moment Dhawan got out for 45 (41 balls, 6×4, 1×6), trying to clear the off-side boundary and depositing Josh Hazelwood straight into the hands of Glenn Maxwell in deep extra cover, it started a procession.

    Virat Kohli (1) came in to a huge reception from the crowd, and departed soon leaving them in hushed silence. He pottered around for 13 balls, and then tried to pull a rising Mitchell Johnson delivery outside the off stump, only to top-edge it to ‘keeper Haddin.

    Mitchell Johnson celebrates after taking the wicket of Rohit Sharma.

    And when Sharma (34) and Raina (7) departed in quick succession to leave India gasping at 108 for four in the 23rd over, it looked like an early end to the match.

    Skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni (65) and Ajinkya Rahane (44) stemmed the rot, but while they put on 70 runs for the fifth wicket, they could not really force the pace against some tight bowling.

    The review of Rahane was a standout one from the Aussies. Both bowler Starc and wicket-keeper Brad Haddin did not appeal, when they were the ones closest to the batsman. But fielders from the 30-yard ring, including captain Clarke were convinced they heard a nick, which was later confirmed by the ‘snickometer’.

    Faulkner came back well in the end and picked up three wickets, including two clean bowled verdict in two balls against the tailenders. He was the most successful bowler in the end with 3-59 in nine overs, Starc and Johnson took two wickets each.

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