Modi reaches out to Pakistan, calls for dialogue in terror-free atmosphere

Writing to his Pakistani counterpart Mr Nawaz Sharif on the occasion of the neighbour’s National Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has called for bilateral dialogue to resolve issues in a terror free atmosphere. The PM has evidently chosen to overlook the controversy being generated in a section of the media over the proposed participation of Kashmiri separatist leaders in a function at the Pakistani high commission to celebrate the national day on Monday.

'100 per cent fit' Shami takes a break ahead of WC semis

Sydney, March 23: India's leading fast bowler in the tournament Mohammed Shami today took a break from training session as a part of the recovery process after bowling full tilt in the quarter-final match against Bangladesh in Melbourne last week.

World Cup Special; Semi-final schedule; 10 facts about Ind-Aus game

While there were some murmurs about the state of his knee, which has taken a lot of pounding on the hard Australian grounds, but team's media manager RN Baba clarified that there are no reasons for worry as far as the Bengal pacer is concerned.

"Shami is 100 hundred per cent fit and is available for selection in the semi-final against Australia," Baba told PTI today.

Preview: World Cup 2015 Semi-final 1: New Zealand Vs South Africa in Auckland

Auckland, Mar 23: A pumped up New Zealand's energywill clash with the seemingly unmatched might of South Africa when the two teams strive to shed the past baggage of semi-final failures and seal a historic place in the cricket World Cup final, here tomorrow.

World Cup Special; Semi-final schedule

Both the teams are chasing history for as neither hosts New Zealand nor the Proteas have ever reached the World Cup final. The Kiwis have fallen at the semifinal stage six times in the past while South Africa have made three exits from the same stage.

New Zealand were a dominant side in the pool stage and the way they annihilated the West Indies in the quarterfinal, thanks to the batting pyrotechnics of Martin Guptill, the hosts are bubbling with new-found energy.

They have looked unstoppable with seven straight wins with every match throwing up a new hero, the latest being Guptill, who smashed his way to history books with a scintillating 237 not out against the Caribbeans.

World Cup semi-final: Advantage Australia as India have beaten hosts only once in 35 years at SCG

Sydney, March 23: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) will be the venue for India-Australia semi-final in ICC World Cup 2015. And the hosts hold clear advantage over MS Dhoni's men going by the past records at the venue.

World Cup Special; Semi-final schedule; 10 facts about the match

In 35 years, India have beaten Australia only once at this ground. This statistic might clearly install the hosts as favourites for Thursday's (March 26) last-four clash but on current form, India are capable of rewriting history.

India and Australia first met at SCG on 18 December 1980. In that game, Australia won by 9 wickets. Since then, for 28 years they dominated their opponents in 11 games.

But things changed in the Commonwealth Bank Tri-series final on 2 March 2008. A magnificent century by Sachin Tendulkar in the 1st of the three finals ended India's winless streak at SCG.

ICC World Cup 2010/2011 Matches

India 277/4 (48.2) Beat Sri Lanka 274-6 (50)

India 260/9 (50) Beat Pakistan 231 (49.5)

Sri Lanka 220/5 (47.5) Beat New Zealand 217 (48.5)

Sri Lanka 231/0 (39.3) Beat England 229-6 (50)

New Zealand 221/8 (50) Beat South Africa 172 (43.2)

India 261/5 (47.4) Beat Australia 260-6 (50)

Pakistan 113/0 (20.5) Beat West Indies 112 (43.3)

Kenya 147 (36) Lost to Zimbabwe 308-6 (50)

India 268 (49.1) Beat West Indies 188 (43)

Australia 176 (46.4) Lost to Pakistan 178-6 (41)