March 26, 2015
Brief Scorecard: Australia 328 for 7 (Smith 105, Finch 81, Yadav 4-72) beat India 233 (Dhoni 65, Faulkner 3-59) by 95 runs
The victorious Australian team celebrating the fall of a wicket during the Australia v India, World Cup 2015, 2nd semi-final, Sydney, March 26, 2015
March 26, 2015
Brief Scorecard: Australia 328 for 7 (Smith 105, Finch 81, Yadav 4-72) beat India 233 (Dhoni 65, Faulkner 3-59) by 95 runs
The victorious Australian team celebrating the fall of a wicket during the Australia v India, World Cup 2015, 2nd semi-final, Sydney, March 26, 2015
SYDNEY – Australia has set up a mouthwatering World Cup final with co-hosts New Zealand, storming into their seventh decider after defeating India by 95 runs in their semi-final clash at the SCG.
Steve Smith was the hero with the bat, scoring a superb 105 to lead the home side to an imposing total of 5/328.
And despite some early resistance from Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma, who put on 76 for the first wicket, and a rear guard action from skipper MS Dhoni (65), the Australians were always in control.
Smith was imperious with the bat, notching his century off 93 balls, with opener Aaron Finch cracking 81.
Steven Smith and Aaron Finch added 182 together, Australia v India, World Cup 2015, 2nd semi-final, Sydney, March 26, 2015
The Australian total was always going to be a tough chase and it proved a mountain too high for the Indians.
Pace trio Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood strangled the Indian batsman with Johnson claiming the early wickets of Sharma (34) and Virat Kholi (1).
Hazlewood dismissed the dangerous Dhawan (45), while Starc removed Ajinkya Rahane (44) and Umesh Yadav (0).
MS Dhoni and Ajinkya Rahane added 70 for the fifth wicket, Australia v India, World Cup 2015, 2nd semi-final, Sydney, March 26, 2015
Allrounder James Faulkner also proved the perfect support act knocking over Suresh Raina (7) and then snaring another two wickets off consecutive balls – bowling both Ravi Ashwin (1) and Mohit Sharma (0).
Michael Clarke's men were also deadly in the field with Smith running out Ravindra Jadeja (16) and Glenn Maxwell throwing down the stumps to snare the key wicket of Dhoni.
The victory has set up a dream final at the MCG on Sunday against the Kiwis, who finished undefeated in the pool games and beat South Africa in their semi-final at Eden Park on Tuesday.
The Aussies will be out for revenge after the Black Caps inflicted their only loss of the Cup in their pool game at Eden Park.
Australia will be chasing it's fifth World cup title.
Courtesy: Nine News
