Australia hoping for fast SCG pitch against India in Cricket World Cup semi-final
Australia's World Cup semi-final against India is still days away but the mind games are already in full swing. With the stakes so high, neither side are wasting any opportunity to get a crucial edge.
The Australians flew into Sydney yesterday, two days after their emphatic win over Pakistan in Adelaide, and into a debate over the sort of pitch that would best suit each team.
The state of the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch could play a pivotal role in the outcome. It is normally a spinner's paradise, which would suit the Indians, who are raised on slow wickets.
Hopefully we get a fast one. It has been a pretty good wicket this year and hopefully there is a bit of grass there as well
The Australians would love a fast and bouncy pitch, to get the most out of their fast bowlers Mitchell Johnston, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and their explosive batting line-up.
At the World Cup, the SCG has been a batting wonderland, with teams racking up massive scores.
Glenn Maxwell, who blasted a century in Australia's pool A win over Sri Lanka at the SCG, said he hoped it stayed that way.
"Hopefully we get a fast one. It has been a pretty good wicket this year and hopefully there is a bit of grass there as well," Maxwell said.