A run glut expected at Centurian

Ranjan ANANDAPPA reporting from South Africa

Traditional rivals England and Australia will have a go once again when each other meets in the first semi final of the Champions Trophy at Centurion Park today.

Australia a few weeks ago completed a 6\1 ODI series win after the losing the Ashes Series, but England has come back strongly since their win over Sri Lanka and South Africa in the Champions Trophy and definitely looks a force to be reckoned with.

The pitch at centurion a batsmen friendly one with a fair chance for the bowlers, is different from chalk and cheese in comparison to the Wanderers at Johanessburg. Both Sri Lanka and England scored over 300 runs and both teams won their matches against South Africa.

Both teams look set for an absorbing contest with Australia slightly inexperienced and England having a better record at Centurion Park. The Australian pace attack being spearheaded by seasoned Brett Lee and Mitchelle Johnson who could break the backbone of any batting side.

Equal to the task are England’s James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

England after beating Sri Lanka convincingly when down to New Zealand at Wanderers while Australia defeated Pakistan in a close contest at Centurion to clinch a place in the semi final denying India.

Australia will go into the semi final sans their deputy skipper Michael Clark who pulled out from the tournament after failing to recover from back injury.

Teams:

Australia: Ricky Ponting (Captain), Nathan Bracken, Callum Furguson, Nathan Hauritz, Ben Hifenhaus, James Hopes, Michael Hussy,Mitchell Johnson, Brett Lee, Tim Paine, Peter Siddle, Adam Voges, Shane Watson, Cameron White.

England: Andrew Strauss, James Anderson. Ravi Bopara, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Paul Collingwood, Joe Denley, Eoin Morgan, Graham Onions, Matt Prior, Adil Rashid, Owais Shah, Ryan Sidebottom, Graem Swan, Luke Wright.