Michael Clarke scoffs at suggestions the lack of a trusty spinner will prove fatal in Australia’s World Cup semi-final against India.
The Australians thumped Pakistan by six wickets on Friday night, booking a semi-final date with the unbeaten Indians in Sydney on Thursday.
And Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq reckons Australia’s weakness in bowling spin, and batting against it, spells trouble for the hosts at the SCG.
“They (Australia) play really good cricket. A very balanced team,” Misbah said.
“But I think playing in Sydney they might just miss a good spinner. That could be the difference there.
“Because what I have seen in the past games, and when we played against England there, our spinners got success on that pitch.
“That could be a problem for Australia.
“And also playing against spin, they might just be in trouble there.”
Clarke bluntly rejected Misbah’s theory.
“I don’t think a ball spun in the game we played (in Sydney) against Sri Lanka,” the Australian skipper said.
“If it does spin, we have got spinning options in our squad.
“So I’m sure the selectors will assess that once we get to the Sydney Cricket Ground and work out what they think is the best XI.
“I have got confidence in whatever 11 is selected. If we play our best cricket, we give ourselves every chance of winning that game in whatever conditions.”
Clarke said he had great faith in Xavier Doherty, the sole specialist spinner in Australia’s 15-man squad.
Doherty has played just once in this World Cup – against the Sri Lankans when he conceded 60 runs in seven wicketless overs.
Clarke cited Glenn Maxwell, who picked up two wickets against Pakistan, though both caught on the midwicket fence, part-timer Steve Smith and himself as other genuine spin options.
But he conceded Australia would face a different India to the touring team they trounced in Test matches and the tri-series before the World Cup.
Clarke believed India’s stunning turnaround could be traced to them being in Australia for nearly five months.
“They have worked out conditions. They have spent so much time here,” Clarke said.
“I think (Indian captain) MS Dhoni deserves a lot of credit the way he has been able to turn things around as the leader, as a the captain.
“They are playing some really good cricket, there’s no doubt about it.”
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