Mitchell Starc took a swipe at India, in light of the pitch-swapping controversy in the semi-final, joking that the hosts could look to play on a used track again in the final of the 2023 World Cup on Sunday.
To bet on the World Cup with our Match Centre Partners bet365 head here.
The India-New Zealand semi-final was marred by controversy after a used pitch was used for the game, instead of the fresh track which had been scheduled to be used. Allegedly, the hosts made the change without consultation of the ICC pitch curator, Andy Atkinson, leading to furore before the start of the game. India ended up winning the semi-final and will now play Australia in the final after the five-time champions defeated South Africa in the other knockout.
Chasing 212 for a win, Australia did not have it easy, struggling against the slower bowlers at Eden Gardens. The spin trio of Tabraiz Shamsi, Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram conceded 89 runs in 28 overs at an economy rate of 3.18, with the slower bowlers also picking up four of the seven wickets that fell.
Australia ended up winning by three wickets, chasing the target in 47.2 overs, but not before being bamboozled by the slower bowlers on a track that had plenty to offer.
Ahead of the final in Ahmedabad, Starc was asked whether playing the slow bowlers would be a concern in the India game, given his side’s struggles against South Africa’s spinners. He gave a tongue-in-cheek reply: “I guess we’ll find out when we get to Ahmedabad tomorrow and see if it’s a fresh wicket or an old wicket.”
India’s spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav have picked up 16 and 15 wickets, respectively, in the World Cup and have been the wreckers-in-chief in the middle overs. India have won all 10 games in the event thus far, while Australia have won eight on the trot after starting the World Cup with two losses.
