Cricket World Cup 2015 Semifinals: Updated Schedule After Quarterfinals Results
Both co-hosts remain at the 2015 World Cup, Australia and New Zealand having convincingly beaten Pakistan and West Indies, respectively, in the quarter-finals.
The Aussies are set to face India in the semi-finals on Thursday in Sydney, following the Black Caps' last-four clash with South Africa on Tuesday.
Both are mouth-watering prospects, and it is difficult to call the eventual finalists, given the quality of all four sides remaining in the competition.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
Here is the schedule for the last-four clashes, with Melbourne's final awaiting on Sunday:
| Date | Time (GMT) | Fixture | Venue |
| Tuesday, Mar. 24 | 1 a.m. | New Zealand vs. South Africa | Auckland |
| Thursday, Mar. 26 | 3:30 a.m. | Australia vs. India | Sydney |
New Zealand vs. South Africa
Amazingly, given the historic pedigree of both sides, neither South Africa nor new Zealand have ever made it to a World Cup final.
The Kiwis have made the semis six times but lost on each occasion, while the Proteas picked up their first ever World Cup knockout-round victory against Sri Lanka in their quarter-final—a convincing nine-wicket win.
The Black Caps have been phenomenal so far in the 2015 World Cup, winning each game they have played, with Martin Guptill's extraordinary 237 against West Indies on Saturday putting them through to the semi-finals, per ICC:
Talismanic skipper Brendon McCullum joins Guptill at the top of the New Zealand batting order, and they could be key at Auckland's small ground, but they face an effective seam trio in Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel and Kyle Abbott.
South Africa came unstuck when they played at Auckland earlier in the tournament, losing by 29 runs to Pakistan in the group stage.
They are slightly short in the bowling department. Imran Tahir is a hugely effective spinner, but JP Duminy is the weak link as the fifth option, and he could struggle against a phenomenal New Zealand batting lineup.
The Proteas have a huge presence in the shape of AB de Villiers, a man capable of taking a match away from any side with his explosive batting ability.
But in Tim Southee, Trent Boult and Daniel Vettori, New Zealand potentially have the bowlers to shackle South Africa's main man—the trio has 49 wickets between them in the tournament.
It is likely to be a tight encounter, but home conditions and a stronger bowling unit should play in the Kiwis' favour.
Australia vs. India
Along with New Zealand, India are the only other team to have a perfect record so far at the World Cup, having won all their group games and earning a convincing win over Bangladesh in the quarter-finals.
While Australia are still favourites to lift the World Cup, they may struggle against India in the spin-friendly Sydney conditions, per Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq (h/t The Age's Jesse Hogan):
India's bowlers have been incredibly effective so far in the tournament, taking all 10 wickets in each of their matches.
Considering their pre-tournament form, the defending champions have been mightily impressive in Australia and New Zealand and have depth in their batting, which could prove key.
However, the Aussies are undoubtedly the best outfit India will have faced thus far, pairing as they do brilliant seam bowling—see Mitchells Starc and Johnson—with explosive batting.
Steve Smith was the star man as Australia wobbled slightly on their way to victory against Pakistan, per cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle, just one amongst a string of world class ODI batsmen on the co-hosts' side:
Home advantage will certainly give the Australians an edge on Thursday, and they have the personnel to turn India over, but the pitch could play a key part in who makes the final.
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
