The Aussies set up the mouth-watering all-Antipodean clash with an utterly convincing 95-run victory in Sydney – posting a daunting total of 328-7 from their 50 overs before scuttling India out for just 233 off 46.5 overs.
The four-time champions will now be chasing a fifth crown after maintaining their 100 per cent semi-final record to reach a seventh final. By contrast, New Zealand will be making their first appearance in the final when they step out in front of 100,000 spectators into the frenzied atmosphere of the Melbourne Cricket Ground – victory over South Africa on Tuesday broke their unhappy run of six semi-final defeats.
Aussie batsman Steve Smith struck a typically fluent 105 from 93 balls, and Aaron Finch weighed in with 81 as Australia compiled the highest-ever score in a World Cup semi-final. Smith, meanwhile, was the first Australian ever to score a hundred in a semi-final.
India made a solid start in reply, but then lost four wickets for just 32 runs and eventually fell well short despite captain MS Dhoni making 65. India’s slim hopes of reaching their target were effectively ended by a brilliant run-out from Glenn Maxwell, whose direct hit sent the dangerous Dhoni on his way.
