HE called the first semi-final spot on. Can Joe Drabble (@Joe_Drabs) do it again early on Thursday?
Australia v India | Thursday 03:30 | Sky Sports 3
One host nation has reached the World Cup Final and the other is odds-on favourite to join them and set-up a mouth-watering showdown in Melbourne on Sunday.
New Zealand edged a tense semi-final against South Africa on Tuesday and now only India can gate-crash a host nation knees-up this weekend.
Both teams are in great form; Australia have won 16 of their last 19 ODIs while India are on a seven-match winning streak and have a 100 per cent World Cup 2015 record to protect in Sydney on Thursday.
I’ll be on the Aussies to come through this one, though, and at 4/9 with William Hill they are just about backable. There is no obvious weakness in the Australia side, while question marks still remain over the potency of India’s bowling attack.
In the batting markets, Aussie trio David Warner, Shane Watson and Steve Smith all average around 60 at the SCG over the last three years in ODI's and I’ll be on Smith to come out as the top Australia batsman at 7/2 with BetVictor.
Smith is a man in hot form. He has scored 95, 72 and 65 in his last three innings – his 72 coming on his last Sydney outing against Sri Lanka. A form horse who likes the ground.
For India, I’ll be on Virat Kohli to lead the way with the bat. He remains the class act for the men in blue and at 3/1 with 888 Sport is a sound shout to be their top batsman.
As for the top bowler, I can’t not back Aussie quick Mitchell Starc. He has taken 10 wickets against India – more than anyone else in the Aussie side – and recently took six against them in the lead up to the World Cup. He’s 4/1 with 888 Sport for the most match wickets.
Best Bets
Australia v India – Australia to win (4/9 William Hill)
Australia v India – Steve Smith to be top Australian batsman (7/2 BetVictor)
Australia v India – Virat Kohli to be top Indian batsman (3/1 888 Sport)
Australia v India – Mitchell Starc to be top bowler (4/1 888 Sport)
Money Back If Match Decided In Final Over
The last semi-final went to the wire, and if this does too, 888 Sport will refund all losing Match Winner bets. Respect!
