Match Previews / Ed Hawkins / 23 March 2011 /

Ed Hawkins does not have much faith in the hosts in Ahmedabad on Thursday in the second quarter-final. Follow his in-running advice on Twitter here

Team news
India are expected to welcome back Virender Sehwag for a match which will bring India to a standstill. Sehwag has been suffering from a knee problem.

Ravi Ashwin, the spinner who opened the bowling against West Indies and took two wickets, looks likely to retain his place. But Yusuf Pathan could be dropped. Suresh Raina could come in to bolster the middle order.

Australia have used only 12 players throughout the tournament and they should be unchanged. Much depends on pace trio Brett Lee, Shaun Tait and Mitchell Johnson.

Venue and conditions
The good news for Australia is that spinners do not hold sway at the Sardar Patel stadium in Ahmedabad. The other piece of good news is that the surface is not sluggish. It's a good batting wicket and one gets the feeling Ricky Ponting and co would prefer to play through the line with freedom. A first-innings average of 247 in the last 10 ODIs does not look a lot but four sides have posted 285 or more. There is no toss bias with five from nine matches won by the side batting second under lights.

Match odds
This column is no fan of Australia. We worry about their weakness against spin, the leadership of Ricky Ponting and a tendency for them to be priced on past glories. But we worry about India more which is why the Aussies are the bet at a surprisingly good [2.32].

India, who are [1.74] have problems. Their bowling, which appears to lack penetration, faces a stiff test against a good Australia batting attack while a much-vaunted batting is fissured.

Their ability to collapse is a major concern and should ensure Australia feel they are never out of the game. Against South Africa, India lost their last nine wickets for 29 runs; against England they lost their last seven for 33 and against West Indies the last seven went for 50.

That gives us great confidence. If you want more cosseting, and these stats are subjective, India will be looking to beat Australia in the World Cup for the first time in 24 years and they have lost their last four matches at the venue.

Top batsman - India
Sachin Tendulkar (152) has the most runs of any Indian on this ground in the last 10 years. He is [4.10] for honours with Sehwag [4.50]. Yuvraj Singh (284 at an average of 94.66) has notched up one century and three fifties in the tournament. He is [6.60]. Sehwag, by the way, has a problem against Johnson. The pacer has got him nine times in 18 matches, more than any other bowler.

Top batsman - Australia
Brad Haddin (279 runs) and Shane Watson (265) lead the run charts for Australia. Michael Clarke (225) is also in nick. Mike Hussey would be our wager though. He is [7.20] and also appeals at around [2.00] for a 50. Ponting, who averages just 20, is [3.20] to lay for a 50.

Featured market
India have more muscle than Australia, hitting 26 sixes to their rivals 14. They are [1.67] to hit more in this contest.

Best bet: back Australia at [2.30]

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