SYDNEY: Key men ahead of the World Cup semi-final between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday:AustraliaGlenn MaxwellUnconventional shot-maker and part-time off-spinner known as the ‘Big Show’ who has bolstered Australia’s innings with some spectacular late hitting in the tournament.Maxwell has hit three half-centuries in five knocks,
By our correspondents
March 26, 2015
SYDNEY: Key men ahead of the World Cup semi-final between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday: Australia Glenn Maxwell Unconventional shot-maker and part-time off-spinner known as the ‘Big Show’ who has bolstered Australia’s innings with some spectacular late hitting in the tournament. Maxwell has hit three half-centuries in five knocks, including the second-fastest World Cup century with 102 off 53 balls against Sri Lanka in the pool stages at the Sydney Cricket Ground. His spin might come in handy on a generally turning SCG pitch, but it is his quirky batting — replete with reverse-sweeps, flicks and powerful hitting — that may prove hard for India to contain if he gets off to a start.
India Ravichandran Ashwin If the SCG pitch assists spin, as feared by the Australians, Ashwin is the man India will turn to for a match-winning performance. The game is being played on the same pitch where South African spinners Imran Tahir and JP Duminy shared seven wickets in a quarter-final win against Sri Lanka, a team reputed to be comfortable against the turning ball. Ashwin has been one of India’s star performers in the tournament, especially with his ability to slow down the run-rate with his accurate off-spin. He claimed four for 25 against the United Arab Emirates in Perth but a more impressive performance was his return of three for 41 against South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground that caught the Proteas on the hop. The only time Ashwin proved expensive at this World Cup was when he conceded 75 runs in 10 overs against Zimbabwe at Auckland.
