Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia declares they still have the wood over unbeaten India

CONFIDENT quick Josh Hazlewood has lit the fuse ahead of Thursday’s semi-final by boldly declaring Australia still has the wood over unbeaten India.

Australia's Josh Hazlewood makes a big lbw which was given not out during ICC Cricket World Cup Quarter Final between Australia and Pakistan at the Adelaide Oval. pic. Phil Hillyard

MS Dhoni’s team might have recalibrated during the World Cup, but confident quick Josh Hazlewood has lit the fuse ahead of Thursday’s semi-final by boldly declaring Australia still has the wood over India.

After two months of winless misery on Australian soil, India has recovered and carved an undefeated swathe through the tournament, to the point where a defence of their crown is now within reach.

Revenge-hungry Indian supporters will be knocking down the doors of the SCG desperate for tickets.

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Hazlewood has started the mind games early.

Australian players led by Michael Clarke have already pleaded with their own fans to respond and create a sea of gold at the stadium to make it clear who the home team is.

“I call on all Australian cricket lovers to paint the SCG gold on Thursday. We need your support #goldout,” posted the skipper.

I call on all Australian cricket lovers to paint the SCG gold on Thursday. We need your support. #goldout

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 20, 2015

But for all the optimism over India, Hazlewood senses the scars of the summer still run deep.

At the very least, the 24-year-old will enter the show-stopping clash brimming with confidence.

On Test debut in Brisbane, he destroyed India with a seven-wicket haul, and for all the unpredictability of the SCG, the big right-armer knows the ground like the back of his hand.

Hazlewood thought his World Cup dream was over when selectors made it clear they were favouring Pat Cummins.

India fans fill the SCG.

But in the pressure-cooker of a quarterfinal against Pakistan, Hazlewood made the most of his reprieve to take a stranglehold on the third fast bowler’s position in Australia’s lethal attack.

Conscious of India’s experience in big tournaments, Hazlewood is wary but still relishing another shot at Australia’s summer bunnies.

“We’ve obviously played them a lot this summer in both formats so I’d say we’d have the wood over them a little bit in that regard, winning the (one-day) tri-series,” he said.

“We’ll just be doing our normal homework and doing our thing and getting prepared.

“They’ve obviously played a lot of big tournaments and a lot of their players have been playing for a while so they’ve got that experience … and I think they really peak at the right time so they’ll be really tough work on Thursday.”

Hazlewood himself admits that Cummins has the superior bowling ability through the middle overs and the death.

But against Pakistan, Hazlewood proved he’s anything but one-dimensional, picking up his four wickets up front, in the middle and at the close of the innings.

Hazlewood had visions of carrying the drinks for the big games, but now the shot at history is his.

Hazlewood has replaced Cummins.

“Those thoughts (of the World Cup being over) do run through your head,” he said.

“You do try and stay positive … but Patty had a bit of a mixed bag last game so it left the door a little bit ajar and I’m just happy to play and contribute to the win.

“I hope I’ve gone a long way to (nailing the spot) but you never know with the conditions at the SCG, they could be dry and suit a spinner.

“You’ve just got to take your opportunities.

“I guess there was a bit of added pressure (on me) to impress and keep playing there.

“I was obviously pretty happy with how I bowled straight up with the new ball … and the way I came back through those other spells to take wickets and really keep the ball rolling.”