Cricket World Cup 2015: Australia unconcerned about potential baiting by India in SCG semi-final

AUSTRALIA say they aren’t concerned about the potential for India to try and bait fiery opener and newly named IPL captain David Warner out of a World Cup final.

Australia v India

AUSTRALIA say they aren’t concerned about the potential for India to try and bait fiery opener and newly named IPL captain David Warner out of a World Cup final.

Warner and Indian pair Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan have kept their noses clean throughout the showcase tournament, but heartbreaking expulsion from a potential World Cup decider hangs over them if the trio were to become embroiled in escalating tensions at the SCG in Thursday’s blockbuster semi.

Shane Watson could also be under the microscope after his harsh quarterfinal fine for chipping Pakistan nemesis Wahab Riaz.

Warner waves to India fans at the SCG.

ICC chief executive David Richardson promised a crackdown during the World Cup, and that repeat offenders will be hit with match bans.

All eyes will be on Warner though, who has been at the centre of a summer’s worth of flashpoints between the two combative rivals.

Warner’s first reprimand came during a heated first Test, and then again most notably in a one-dayer at the MCG where he was reported for asking rival Rohit Sharma to “speak English”.

The brilliant Australian star regards many in the Indian team as friends.

But freely admits he thrives on confrontation and that staying on the right side of the line is a constant challenge for him.

Teammate Glenn Maxwell says there’s no reason for angst however, with Warner moderating his behaviour this World Cup.

“It’s not a concern,” he said.

“He’s fine. He doesn’t say much. Any more.”

Adding to the intrigue is the fact Warner has been handed the honour of captaining IPL franchise Sunrisers Hyderabad, and that means he will skipper fellow protagonist Dhawan.

Dave Warner and Virat Kohli exchange pleasantries during the recent Test series.

His healthy battle with Kohli and other Indian players will be interesting to observe this IPL season now he has been promoted to an IPL role.

Maxwell on the other hand, claims he has the opposite problem with Indian players.

He gets along with them so well, he’s often pulled into line by Australian teammates for fraternising with the enemy — like Steve Smith was when he shared a joke with Pakistan on last year’s tour of the UAE.

“Personally, I get along with them really well,” said Maxwell.

“Having the IPL and playing with three different teams you get to know a lot of them, spend time with them, go to dinners with them and you start to develop real friendships and you stay in touch with them as well.

“It makes it hard when you play against them because you’ve got to still have that fine line of keeping it competitive on the field but they’re also your mates and you’ve got to continue trying to play as if you’re playing your worst enemy every time.

“So it’s sometimes hard because I find myself laughing with some of the guys and I get yelled at and told to concentrate and stick to the game.”