With the prize being a place in the World Cup final, James Faulkner expects there will be plenty of niggle between Australia and India at the SCG on Thursday.
The recent four-Test series between the two sides featured a handful of run-ins, with Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan, Ishant Sharma, David Warner and Mitchell Starc all reprimanded over their conduct.
“There’s going to be words said and it’s going to be a really tough contest,” Faulkner said in Sydney on Monday.
“I think there always is (sledging) in the game, if there isn’t you’ve got problems.
“It’s the nature of the game, it’s a semi-final. Cut throat.
“Neither team will be backing down.”
Warner risks a ban if he plays up again in the SCG semi-final, having also been fined for his “speak English” stoush with Rohit Sharma during the ODI tri-series.
International Cricket Council chief David Richardson vowed last month there would be a crackdown on sledging and poor on-field behaviour.
The ICC showed as much when they fined Shane Watson and Wahab Riaz for an enthralling showdown at Adelaide Oval last Friday that was spectacular more than spiteful.
“It was all in great spirit,” Faulkner said of Watson’s battle with Pakistan paceman Wahab, echoing the sentiment of Brian Lara, Ricky Ponting and Kevin Pietersen.
The SCG outer is also likely to be slinging some unfriendly words the way of Faulkner and his teammates.
With the exception of corporate and travel packages, the knockout clash is a sell out.
It’s understood the majority of the 45,000-plus fans attending will be India supporters, many having travelled from around the world to see the defending champions in action.
“We were talking about it last night at dinner, the last game we played here it definitely felt like that,” Faulkner said, when asked if his side was worried it would feel like an away fixture.
“The passion the Indian fans show towards their cricket team is sensational, so we’re definitely expecting that.
“The last game we played against India here was a washout and the fans were unbelievable in the way they supported.”
National selectors have made at least one change for every game in the tournament, some forced due to fitness and others on account of form.
That trend is expected to stop on Thursday.
Josh Hazlewood was named man of the match in Australia’s quarter-final win over Pakistan in the round of eight, making it hard for Xavier Doherty to return even if it’s a spin-friendly pitch.
Aaron Finch hasn’t delivered a score of substance since making 135 in Australia’s World Cup opener, but his position is not in serious jeopardy.
Prior to Monday’s training session at the SCG, Finch spent time in the nets with batting coach Michael Di Venuto and friend Andrew McDonald in an attempt to rediscover the form he showed against England at the MCG.
Faulkner said his side would have to be at their best to down India, who are undefeated in the tournament.
“They’ve spent a fair bit of time in the country, so they’ve adapted well to the conditions … it should be a good spectacle,” Faulkner said.
