Australia set India 329-run target in WC semifinal

Sydney, March 26 (IANS) Bouyed by Steven Smith's fine century (105 runs off 93 balls), Australia posted 328/7 after chosing to bat against India in the second cricket World Cup semi-final here on Thursday.

Smith alongwith opener Aaron Finch (81 off 116) contributed to the bulk of the home team's total with a 182-run second-wicket partnership at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin (not out seven) and pacer Mitchell Johnson (unbeaten 27) produced some lusty blows towards the ned to guide Australia to the strong total.

Pacer Umesh Yadav was the most impressive Indian bowler, distinguishing himself with 4-72 off his nine overs bowled.

First innings scoreboard of the cricket World Cup semifinal between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground here on Thursday:

India
Aaron Finch c Dhawan b Yadav 81
David Warner c Kohli b Yadav 12
Steven Smith c Rohit Sharma b Yadav 105
Glenn Maxwell c Rahane b Ashwin 23
SR Watson c Rahane b Mohit Sharma 28
Michael Clarke c Rohit Sharma b Mohit Sharma 10
James Faulkner b Yadav 21
Brad Haddin not out 7
Mitchell Johnson not out 27
Extras (b 1, lb 7, w 6) 14    
Total (7 wickets; 50 overs) 328

Fall of wickets: 1-15 (Warner, 3.1 overs), 2-197 (Smith, 34.1), 3-232 (Maxwell, 37.3), 4-233 (Finch, 38.2), 5-248 (Clarke, 42.1), 6-284 (Faulkner, 46.3), 7-298 (Watson, 47.5).

Bowling 
Mohammed Shami 10-0-68-0
Umesh Yadav 9-0-72-4
MM Sharma 10-0-75-2
Virat Kohli 1-0-7-0
Ravindra Jadeja 10-0-56-0    
Ravichandran Ashwin 10-0-42-1

Match details:
Toss: Australia chose to bat
Umpires: Kumar Dharmasena (Sri Lanka) and Richard Kettleborough (England)
TV umpire: Marais Erasmus (South Africa)
Match referee: Ranjan Madugalle (Sri Lanka)
Reserve umpire: Richard Illingworth (England)