So a New Zealand-South Africa semi final guarantees a first time finalist at the World Cup! NZ have reached the semis at six previous WCs before but have never been able to move on.
Should be a really good game.
Also, this was a sensational catch!
Last edited by endeavor; 03-21-2015 at 01:59 PM.
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Semi-Final #1 tonight: South Africa vs New Zealand.
Has the potential to be the match of the tournament with 2 powerhouse all-round teams. They both deserve to be in the Finals.
I just wish India didn't have to face the Aussies in the other Semi-Final as that's a tough matchup for India. I wish we got Pakistan instead and we could have strolled through the Finals easily.
India has had a cake walk this tournament. About time they got tested. You want to defend the world cup title, beat Australia and hopefully New Zealand to do it.
Wishing I was in Auckland right now. I was at the 1992 semi-final between New Zealand vs Pakistan when it looked like the Kiwis would take it, but Inzamam-ul-Haq hit 60 off 39 balls to catapult Pakistan into the Final. It am hoping the script is different this time around!
India has had a cake walk this tournament. About time they got tested. You want to defend the world cup title, beat Australia and hopefully New Zealand to do it.
LOL, India has hardly had a cake walk instead they have just been in great form for this tournament. They did beat South Africa, who many consider a favorite to win the World Cup, by 130 runs which is big margin. They faced diversity against West Indies where they were 107 for 5 facing a modest total but still came through, and against Zimbabwe where we might have underestimated them a little bit, India went down to 92 for 4 while chasing a good total of 287. The common factor in those chases was MS Dhoni who is arguably the best captain in cricket. India has played smart cricket with Dhoni allowing the opening bowlers to attack, the batsman to attack and the fielding has been outstanding.
Australia is a tough opponent and yes I know to defend the title you have to beat the good teams but I just have no respect for Australia, they have always bullied other teams.
That doesn't surprise me, India has the best fans in the game and Aussies can be apathetic about cricket at times. The talk about this being like an Indian home game is a little much though since there will still be a solid section of loud Australians in attendance.
I also do not consider the spin friendly conditions of the Sydney Cricket Ground to give much of an advantage to India. The SCG is only considered spin friendly in comparison to other Aussie wickets which are the hardest and fastest in the world. It is maintained by Aussie ground keepers who will make it as pace friendly as possible and it will be nothing like the dusty wickets of the subcontinent.
I still think India should be a big underdog going into this game because they never play well against Australia in Australia. They have only won 10 of 42 games all time including being 1-13 at the SCG.
Last edited by FireGilbert; 03-23-2015 at 06:09 PM.
