SYDNEY — Australia skipper Michael Clarke expects to face a very different India in next week's World Cup semifinal from the team it hammered in a Test series and beat comfortably in a One-Day International in January. Co-host Australia reached the last four with a six-wicket victory over Pakistan at Adelaide Oval Friday to set up the meeting with the reigning champion at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) next Thursday. India has won all seven matches on its way to the semifinals and, with a bowling attack unrecognizable from the rabble who contested the Test series, will be surging with confidence. “I think they're obviously playing a lot better than they were throughout the start of the summer,” Clarke told reporters in Adelaide. “I said that leading into the World Cup, that I thought India were going to be an extremely tough team to beat obviously because they're a very good team but (also) because they've spent so much time in Australia they know the conditions quite well. “The game Thursday is going to certainly be a challenge, and we're definitely going to have to be at our best to beat them.” Australia lost its only pool match against their co-host in New Zealand and its familiarity with home conditions is a considerable advantage in its quest for a fifth world title. India has been Down Under since November, though, and has been improving gradually under the guidance of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni. “I think MS Dhoni deserves a lot of credit the way he's been able to turn things around as the leader, as the captain,” Clarke added. “They're playing some really good cricket, there's no doubt about it. We look forward to that challenge. We've got some time now to recover and make sure we're fresh and then obviously train and prepare. “Our attitude will be exactly the same as it was leading up to this game. Thursday becomes our World Cup final. We look forward to it.” If there was any perceived weakness in the Australia squad for the tournament it was the selection of Xavier Doherty as the frontline spinner. While the SCG has a tradition for offering something for spin bowlers, Clarke said that was not always the case at his home ground and he was in any case “extremely satisfied” with his spinning options. “I think Xavier has been a really good spinner for the Australian team over the last few years, so if the wicket does spin, I think the selectors have that option,” he said. “I think we've got spinning options, but we'll wait and see what the pitch is like.” Misbah backs India Pakistan captain Misbahul Haq believes India will start as favorite in the semifinal against Australia because of spin-friendly conditions at the SCG. Misbah, whose side lost to Australia by six wickets in a quarterfinal at the Adelaide Oval Friday, said the tournament co-host will rue being without a quality spinner in its last four clash. “Playing in Sydney they will miss a good spinner,” said the 40-year-old Misbah. “That could be the difference, because spinners have had a lot of success in Sydney and Imran Tahir did well the other day. So that could be a problem for Australia. “They might just be in trouble there, although it will be a tough game because both sides are playing good cricket.” Leg-spinner Tahir collected four for 26 and fellow slow bowler JP Duminy took three for 29, including a hat trick, as South Africa bowled out Sri Lanka for just 133 to win Wednesday's quarterfinal at the SCG by nine wickets. But the bat dominated the ball in previous World Cup games at the venue, with Australia piling up 376 for nine against Sri Lanka and South Africa smashing 408 for five off the West Indies' attack. “I don't think a ball spun in our game against Sri Lanka,” Clarke said. “It will all depend on what type of wicket gets prepared. If there is a bit of grass on it, that will certainly help our fast bowlers. “If it does spin, we've got spinning options in our squad, so I'm sure the selectors will assess that once we get to the SCG and work out what they think is the best 11,” the Sydney native added. Australia has won eight of its last nine completed ODIs at the SCG, but Clarke was wary of a rejuvenated India team . “India are a completely different opposition to Pakistan,” he said. “They have different strengths and different weaknesses as well.” — Agencies
