Australia’s semi-final hopes against India depend on spin battle, says Smith

  • Captain believes key is how batters take on ‘middle overs’
  • Australia still to decide how many spinners to include

White-ball cricket is often about the powerplay at the start of an innings and the death overs at the end, but the Australia captain Steve Smith believes it is the overs in the middle that will decide the Champions Trophy semi-final against India on Tuesday.

Australia go into the Dubai lair that dry pitches and expat fans have turned into a home from home for India with Rohit Sharma’s team seeking to snare them in a web of spin. India used four spinners in their last match against New Zealand, the quartet taking nine wickets, five going to the recalled Varun Chakravarthy.

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Champions Trophy: Chakravarthy spins out New Zealand to ensure India top group

  • India 249-9; New Zealand 205 – India win by 44 runs
  • Australia await for India in Dubai semi-final

India beat New Zealand by 44 runs in a low-scoring contest at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday to top Group A in the Champions Trophy.

Electing to field, New Zealand restricted India to 249 for nine with Matt Henry, who took five for 42, leading a fine team bowling display backed up by their characteristic sharp catching.

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