Australia Hoping for Fast Pitch in Cricket World Cup Semi-Final Against India

Australia's World Cup semi-final against India is still four days away but the mind games are already in full swing. With the stakes so high, neither side is wasting any opportunity to get an edge. (Full World Cup Coverage)

The Australians flew into Sydney on Sunday, two days after their emphatic win over Pakistan in Adelaide, and into a debate over the sort of pitch that would best suit each team. (Australia, India Braced for Verbal Onslaught)

The state of the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch could play a pivotal role in the outcome. It is normally a spinner's paradise, which would suit the Indians, who are raised on slow, turning wickets.

The Australians would love a fast and bouncy pitch, to get the most out of their fast bowlers,Mitchell Johnston, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, and their explosive batting lineup. (Srinivasan, Anurag Thakur to Attend Semi-Final Between India and Australia)

So far during the World Cup, the SCG has been a batting wonderland, with teams racking up massive scores.

Glenn Maxwell, who blasted a century in Australia's Pool A win over Sri Lanka at the SCG, told reporters he hoped it stayed that way. (Glenn Maxwell Reminds India of Their Recent Dismal Record vs Australia)

"Hopefully we get a fast one. It has been a pretty good wicket this year and hopefully there is a bit of grass there as well," Maxwell said. (Indian Fans Set to Outnumber Aussies at SCG)

The Indians haven't beaten Australia in any form of the game since they arrived in the country in November but have lost none of their confidence. (Top 5 Reasons Why India Can 'Stun' Aussies in Their Own Backyard)

After a lacklustre start to the tour, the defending World Cup champions have hit their peak at the right time, winning seven matches on the trot to stroll into the semi-finals.

When Australia and India played each other in the final test match in January, the pitch suited the spinners, and India would love a wicket like that. (Is India vs Australia Semi-Final a 50-50 Bet?)

It was hard work for the Australian pacemen and Hazlewood was only half joking when he said the ground staff didn't do the home side any favours that time. (Indian Bowlers Deserve Credit for Their Patience and Resilience: Ian Chappell)

"We'd obviously like some grass on it to suit our quicks," Hazlewood said. "It would help us, with them having a couple of spinners and us favouring the quicks." (Rameez Raja Urges India to Learn From Wahab Riaz, Use Pace to Attack Aussies)