Australia have an edge over India in semi-finals: Josh Hazlewood

Josh Hazlewood banks on Australia’s past record against India

Sydney, March 21 (IANS) Pacer Josh Hazlewood, on Saturday, said that their unbeaten record against India this Australian summer means they 'have the wood' over Mahendra Singh Dhoni's side ahead of their semi-final showdown at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Thursday.

India had a disappointing Test series Down Under, losing 0-2. The visitors failed to win even a single match in the following One-Day International (ODI) tri-series, also involving England, in the lead-up to the World Cup.

The Asian powerhouse were also defeated in the World Cup warm-up match on February 8 in Adelaide, where they were thrashed by 106 runs.

"We've obviously played them a lot this summer in both formats so I would say we have the wood over them a little bit in that regard, winning the tri-series. We'll be doing our homework, doing our normal thing and getting prepared," Hazlewood was quoted as saying by Cricket Australia (CA).

"(But a) lot of their players have been playing for a while so they've got that experience in big tournaments, and they really peak at the right time. They'll be really tough work on Thursday."

Hazlewood was named man-of-the-match in Friday's quarter-final against Pakistan. The pacer hopes that his 4/35 shows the team selectors his importance before picking the playing XI against India.

"I hope I have gone a long way to doing that (cementing his spot). But you never know with conditions at the SCG, they could be dry and suit a spinner," he said.

Spinner Xavier Doherty is also in line for a recall considering the turning wicket here.