Australia batting star Glenn Maxwell wants the Sydney Cricket Ground to be mean and green for Thursday’s World Cup semi-final against India despite the pitch’s reputation as a spinners’ paradise.
Maxwell believes home field advantage could be key as the co-hosts look to end the defending champions’ seven-match winning streak at the tournament, an impressive run which has seen them bowl out the opposition in every match.
“Hopefully we get a fast one (pitch). It has been a pretty good wicket this year and hopefully there is a bit of grass there as well,” said Maxwell, who is desperate for a track which will play into the hands of an attack which boasts fast bowlers Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood.
India have a woeful record at the SCG where they have triumphed just once in 14 ODIs against Australia — with their only win coming back in 2008.
“They haven’t won a game against us all summer, hopefully we can make the most of that,” said Maxwell in reference to Australia’s dominance in the Test and ODI series which preceded the World Cup.
“Hopefully that is pretty clear in their memories. We’ve been dominant all summer in the ODI format. Hopefully we can continue that.”