Tuesday, March 22, 2011

India take on Australia in World Cup quarterfinal at Motera

India will face defending champions Australia in the quarterfinals of the cricket World Cup as the knockout stage begins on March 23 following the conclusion of league matches.

India thumped West Indies by 80 runs to finish second in Group B with nine points, behind South Africa (10).

India will take on Australia, who won the World Cup title four times, including three on the trot in 1999, 2003 and 2007, in Ahmedabad on March 24.

Although the West Indies lost to India, they still made it to the knock-out stage because of a better net run rate over Bangladesh, who are tied with Darren Sammy's men at six points.

The Caribbean team is placed fourth in Group B and will take on 1992 Champions Pakistan at Mirpur on March 23 in the first quarterfinal match.

Mirpur will also host the quarterfinal match between South Africa and New Zealand, who are fourth in Group A, on March 25.

England, who are at third place in Group B, will take on Sri Lanka in the last quarterfinal match in Colombo on March 26.

India have an unfavourable record against Australia in the World Cup as they have not beaten the Aussies since 1987.

In the 2003 World Cup, Sourav Ganguly-led Indian team lost to Australia in the title clash in South Africa, while in the 1999 edition, India lost to the Aussies in the Super six stage.

In the 1992 and 1996 World Cups, India lost to Australia in the league stages.

In the 1987 edition, India beat Australia by 56 runs at Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi after losing by one run in the league match.

Also in the 1983 World Cup, Kapil Dev's men lost to Australia in the league match before defeating them by 118 runs later in the tournament.

Down below is the complete quarterfinal line-up:

March 23: 1st Quarterfinal - Pakistan vs West Indies

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur (14:00IST)

March 24: 2nd Quarterfinal - India vs Australia

Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera, Ahmedabad (14:00IST)

March 25: 3rd Quarterfinal - New Zealand vs South Africa

Shere Bangla National Stadium, Mirpur (14:00IST)

March 26: 4th Quarterfinal - Sri Lanka v England

R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo (14:30IST)

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