Faulkner expects plenty of banter at SCG

Australia all-rounder James Faulkner is expecting the tension between his side and India to be at an all time high in their semi-final in Sydney on Thursday, saying they will be 'cut-throat' in the middle.
Australia and India have been in each others' faces plenty of times in the past five months, with India arriving in November and playing a full Test series and then a tri-series, and Faulkner knows there will be a lot of verbal sparring.
Faulkner said: "I think there always is in the game, if there isn't you've got problems. It's the nature of the game, it's a semi-final, it's cut-throat.
"There's going to be words said and it's going to be a really tough contest. Neither team will be backing down.
"We have come up against them a hell of a lot over the last 12-18 months and they've spent a fair bit of time in the country. They've adapted well to the conditions.
"A lot of nerves were on show a couple of nights ago [in Adelaide] and I think that's good. Both teams are exposed and if you don't have nerves you've got issues."
The SCG deck could go either way in terms of bat or ball winning out, but Faulkner feels there should be some runs on the board, judging from past efforts at the World Cup, including South Africa's 400-plus against the West Indies.
He added: "A lot depends on the wicket. The last time we played here, the wicket was obviously very good against Sri Lanka. We made 360-odd, they made over 300. It was a great one-day wicket.
"If it's much like that, I'm expecting a lot of runs scored. If you look over the recent past, over there or here, you've seen a lot of runs.
"Against Sri Lanka, the wicket didn't really spin and it was quite easy to get hold of. I'm not too sure what make-up they'll go in with or what make-up we'll go in with.
"The wicket dictates a lot, so we'll wait and see what is come game day."
Latest
-
News
Three positive Covid tests confirmed in New Zealand’s tour party
Batter Henry Nicholls, seamer Blair Tickner and bowling coach Shane Jurgensen will self-isolate for five days.
-
News
Zak Crawley outdone by Ben Compton as Kent start strongly at Northamptonshire
Opener Compton stole the show with an unbeaten 125.
-
News
Mark Wood admits frustration over slow progress from elbow surgery
Wood is targeting a Test return towards the back end of the summer.
-
News
McCullum hopes ‘attractive brand of Test cricket’ can see red-ball game thrive
New head coach Brendon McCullum is looking to transform England’s fortunes.
-
News
Effects of lockdown on bowlers may be playing part in spate of stress fractures
In the past week Jofra Archer, Saqib Mahmood and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season with lower back injuries.
-
News
Ben Stokes to be subject of Amazon documentary created by Sam Mendes
The 30-year-old will open up on his World Cup and Headingley heroics as well as his off-the-field troubles.
-
News
Jofra Archer setback adds to England’s fast bowling injury crisis
Saqib Mahmood, Jofra Archer and Matthew Fisher have all been ruled out for the season this week.
-
News
England bowler Jofra Archer sidelined for the summer after injury setback
Archer has suffered a stress fracture of the lower back.
-
News
Paul Farbrace: Che Simmons may play for England after signing Warwickshire deal
The 18-year-old has signed a three-year contract.
-
News
Paul Collingwood ‘desperate to help out’ new England coaches, says Rob Key
Australia’s Matthew Mott has been appointed to lead the white-ball team, with Brendon McCullum the new man in charge of the Test side.