Cricket World Cup 2015 Schedule: Semi-Final Fixtures, Forecast, Live Stream Info
After Australia, India, New Zealand and South Africa all showed their respective quality with comfortable victories in their quarter-final matches, the semi-final stages of this World Cup have been hotly anticipated.
While tournaments in the past have typically churned out some shock sides in the last four, this year we’re lucky to have the four finest sides in the competition remaining. That was cut down to three after the Black Caps' thrilling win over South Africa in the semi-finals.
Only one more side can make it through to join New Zealand in this year's final. Here’s a look at where you can catch the remaining action via a stream and a closer examination of the second of these two semi-final encounters
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
| Thursday, Mar. 26 | 3:30 a.m. | Australia vs. India | Clear, 26°C | India |
Matches can be streamed via Sky Go (UK) or ESPN Cricket 2015 (US).
Australia vs. India
As co-hosts and four-time World Cup winners, Australia are rightly the favourites here and will be hoping to continue their fine run of form at this tournament. But India know what’s required to get over the line in these massive matches and have won all seven of their games at the competition so far.
Not only are these two of the finest sides in the world, but encounters between these two teams have come to be pretty heated down the years. Ahead of this one, Aussie all-rounder Glenn Maxwell stirred the pot a little more by reminding the reigning champions of their atrocious recent record against the Baggy Greens, per AFP (h/t sports.ndtv.com):
"They haven't won a game against us all summer, hopefully we can make the most of that.
Hopefully that is pretty clear in their memories. We've been dominant all summer in the ODI format. Hopefully we can continue that.
"
Indeed, as noted in the aforementioned piece, India have won one match in 14 games at the Sydney Cricket Ground. But this is a team that seems to save its very best performances for when the pressure bites. In the run up to this World Cup they looked a little out of touch, but as soon as the serious stuff started, India have been immaculate.
As noted by Freddie Wilde of ESPN Cricinfo, this a team that excel in a tournament format:
Their bowling has been particularly impressive. In every single match they’ve bowled out the opposition, with Mohammed Shami leading the pack of superb seamers. If they can skittle out the Baggy Greens in this semi-final encounter, they’ll give themselves a wonderful chance of coming out on top.
The battle between Aussie bat and India ball looks set to be the key here. Players like David Warner, Steve Smith and Maxwell are capable of taking a game away from the opposition given their immense quality, but India have shown enough about them to suggest they are capable of blunting some of these star performers.
As noted by their former player Aakash Chopra, it’s a facet of their play that has been unexpectedly sharp:
Another intriguing battle will be in the stands. Despite being the co-host nation, the Australia supporters look as though they’ll be outnumbered by the fervent Indian faithful who follow their team all over the world.
It’s probably why Australia captain Michael Clarke sent out the following message on social media ahead of the contest:
Australia are capable of scoring a whopping total at the SCG and if they can post a score in excess of 350, even India’s stellar batting line-up will struggle to hunt it down. But if India’s bowlers continue to apply themselves with such admirable acumen, the home side will find it tough going to make a total that surpasses 300.
The toss is vital as always, but India look as though they have a little more balance in their side at the moment and that should see them emerge victorious in this one. This is a team that knows what’s required to win a World Cup and their nous will be vital in them continuing the defence of their title with a strong display here.
Prediction—India
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
