So, with India bowing out - here's Stephan's match report from the SCG for you to read - we have an "Anzac Final" with co-hosts Australia and New Zealand meeting in the final at the MCG on Sunday. Should be a cracker.
As the UK clocks go forward on Sunday morning, while (like today) the game starts at 2.30pm local Melbourne time, it's an 04:30 BST start (or 03:30 GMT if you forget to change your clocks).
Test Match Special will be on air from 04:15, but we'll be coming off the long run to bring you all the build-up from around 03:30 - we hope you'll join us then.
Until then, as ever, enjoy the rest of your day. See you Sunday.
Captain's view
Australia captain Michael Clarke on Mitchell Johnson: "Mitch is Mitch. He probably hasn't had the standout tournament everybody expecting, but he's done the job for this team. I couldn't be prouder of our bowling unit.
"You've seen in the last few games that we have improved since Auckland. We don't need to talk about it any more. Myself and Boof [coach Darren Lehmann] have watched every game. We know they are at the top of their game."
Is promoting Steve Smith to number three the best call you've made?
"I thought that review was pretty good."
BBCCopyright: BBC
Captain's view
Australia captain Michael Clarke at the post-match news conference: "I think the fact that the conditions are different in the final will help us. They will be different to what New Zealand have been playing in. We will have to play our best cricket because they have been the form team.
"It doesn't matter to us who we were going to play in the final. Our priority was to get into the final. There's always that great rivalry, the fact that the two hosting nations are in the final is extremely special."
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India legend Sachin Tendulkar: Well played in the ICC World Cup Team India. A tough game today and a loss is always difficult to handle. But you have played some terrific cricket throughout and all the fans have enjoyed watching you. Congratulations to Australia for a convincing win. Steve Smith's hundred, Finch's support to him and a strong finish by Johnson made the difference.
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Al, Cambridge: I liked Shaakir's pithy contribution earlier re: the best batting sides going home to leave the best bowling sides in the final. The difference is rather that NZ and Oz not only bowl beautifully but can also virtually match SA and India with equally impressive batting, fielding and arguably better captaincy.
Post update
If you didn't see the vote earlier, we asked you at the interval whether Australia or India would win. 56.3% of you went with Australia - thanks to all of you who voted.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"I wish I knew Hindi, Dhoni is cracking jokes that have the Indian press creased up."
BBCCopyright: BBC
Captain's view
More from India captain MS Dhoni: "The World Cup doesn't belong to anyone. We took it from someone and someone will take it from us. In any international sport, you have to be at your best, otherwise the cup gets shared."
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Dhoni's cracking jokes now, poking fun at the infamously stubborn India media manager Dr Baba. "I keep telling him that if you're a popular media manager, you're doing a bad job."
He also says 'We've been here for four months, 20 days longer and we can apply for citizenship'. I'm getting an insight into how Dhoni has done the impossible job for so long - he's incredibly charismatic."
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Nigel, Leeds: No idea how Australia have gone from cricketing also-rans a couple of years ago back to the best in the world so quickly but England are going to be humiliated by them this summer in the Ashes series. I reckon they are one decent spinner away from a virtually unbeatable side in all formats. Scary stuff.
Captain's view
India captain MS Dhoni on why he left the victory charge so late...
"It's a difficult one. Our lower order has not been able to contribute. If you start too early and lose a wicket, we might have been out for 150. Maybe we left it too late."
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Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara: Aus too strong overall. Steve smith keeps on going. It was always tough for India unless Virat stayed in. Will be a cracker of a final.
Captain's view
More from India captain MS Dhoni at the post-match news conference: "Everybody rose up to the occasion. I'm disappointed we couldn't go to the final, but they played better cricket on the day.
"On my future? The media should do nice research on that. Take a couple of days. Whatever you decide, the truth will be the complete opposite.
"My legacy doesn't matter. What's important is to contribute to winning. I've been part of series where I haven't had to bat. It's more important for newcomers to come in and bat at five or six.
"What people think about me doesn't matter. I play for the enjoyment of the game. The day I pack my bags, I'll be happy on my bike."
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"By far the biggest collection of journalists I've seen gathered at this tournament, all waiting for MS Dhoni."
BBCCopyright: BBC
Join the debate at #bbccricket
OptaJim: 96 - Australia and England have now won the same number of World Cup matches across cricket, football and rugby union (96). Rivals.
Review of the day
We began the day with Australia winning what we all thought would be an important toss - and Aaron Finch (81) and Steve Smith (105) duly batted them into a commanding position at 197-1 after 34 overs.
While India then took regular wickets to dampen any hopes of a score of 400 or more, a late burst of 27 not out from nine balls from Mitchell Johnson helped the co-hosts post 328-7.
Shikhar Dhawan got India off to a decent start with a rapid 45, but they needed a big innings from someone - and as Rohit Sharma (34) and Ajinkya Rahane (44) both fell, the hopes rested on captain MS Dhoni.
As the run rate spiralled, Dhoni was run out for 65 with nearly 100 still needed - and with his departure, the game was up for the defending champions.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
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Tom Agass: Australia are looking unbeatable. In supreme form and have the added drive of devoting a victory to the late Phil Hughes.
Gibson, you may remember, was previously in that role with England from 2007 (when he retired from playing for Durham) until 2010 (when he took over as West Indies head coach).
He replaces David Saker, bowling coach since 2010, who (it was recently revealed) will be joining Big Bash franchise Melbourne Renegades as head coach. The ECB say there has been no decision yet on Saker's long-term replacement.
So, Gibson was replaced by Saker, who has himself been replaced by... Gibson. At least for now.
Captain's view
Australia captain Michael Clarke: "I feel really excited. Smithy was exceptional once again, and I was really proud of the execution of our bowlers. Huge congratulations to MS Dhoni and his team, I think they've competed really well in this World Cup. I'm pretty sure it won't be his last World Cup, he's got a lot of cricket left in him.
"Our preparation has been outstanding, losing to New Zealand really gave us a kick up the backside. Mentally I think the guys are ready to walk into the final. New Zealand have been playing some great cricket, Brendon [McCullum] has done a great job."
On Sunday's final between New Zealand and Australia:
"The toss is crucial at the MCG and batting first. The teams batting first get the big score and pretty much end the game. It looks set for a good day, the weather will be fine. New Zealand and Australia are the best two teams in the tournament. I still think New Zealand will win this World Cup."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Captain's view
India captain MS Dhoni: "Overall Australia played very good cricket. Over 300 is a very big score to chase, but I thought it was just over par. I felt the fast bowlers would have done slightly better. A lot of people didn't think we would get this far in the tournament, but in the knockout stages you have to raise your game.
"Shikhar Dhawan was batting freely, he didn't need to play the big shot. It was too many for me to chase. Our lower order really needs to work hard on their batting. I'm not sure whether it will be my last World Cup."
Post update
A nice handshake between captains Dhoni and Clarke as they wait to talk to television MC Mark Nicholas. It was a clash of the titans today - but even the most diehard Indian fan must surely concede that Australia were the better side.
"I didn't get Dhoni's innings today. He never sent the message he was really going for it. He hit those two sixes from Watson but he should have done that earlier. Dhoni didn't even dive for the run-out. He almost quit."
Man of the match
More from man of the match Steve Smith on TMS: "It is nice to score a few runs. It was a good track. I was able to get myself in and build a platform for the end. Mitch Johnson was important to get us a total.
"They started quite well but never really got away from us. Once we got the first wicket we were away. We have match-winners and they were able to do there stuff today. It was a great atmosphere."
On the final: "We said we want to be playing our best cricket at the end of the tournament. I don't think we've put a full game together yet so hopefully we will do that for the final."
"Smith was outstanding today, he didn't break sweat and made the most of it. Cricket is played mostly in the mind, he's got a good cricket brain and reads the game well - he's got a couple of nice off-drives which he didn't have a year or two ago."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Nick Brett: On a day where the Indian spin bowlers went for around five an over, Australia's only spin bowler used five overs. Great credit for the pace attack, Hazlewood and Starc are ones to watch.
Andrew, Richhill: What a final we have in prospect at the MCG. The two host countries, the two pre-tournament favourites and the two form one-day teams going head-to-head for the big prize. Can't wait!
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Shaakir: The two best bowling teams are in the final, while the two best batting teams are heading home. Who said cricket is a batsman's game?
Ilyas Najib: For the first time since 1987 there's no Asian team in the World Cup final, is there a power shift in world cricket? I think so. For all the IPLs, the double centuries, the year round cricket, it's an end of an era for India.
"For such a gilt-edged final, I'd think it'll be a 100,000 sell-out at the MCG and the Melbourne public will be swinging from the rafters. They're putting extra planes on from New Zealand."
Man of the match
Australia batsman Steve Smith: "We thought 330 was around par, we knew we had to bowl and field well and the boys did a great job so roll on Melbourne. It's nice to contribute to a few wins. Me and Maxy were sure that Rahane hit that ball, so we went for the review.
"It's going to be an amazing moment to play a World Cup final against New Zealand - they've played some very good cricket. I hope I have more runs in the bank - a big hundred would be nice."
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Man of the match
Steve Smith is named as man of the match for his 105 from 93 balls (and an excellent run-out being the icing on the cake).
Post update
The scorecard will make it look as though this was a fairly straightforward win for the men in canary yellow - but while MS Dhoni was there, India still believed. When he was run out, their candle was extinguished under the Sydney sky.
So, the defending champions have been unceremoniously dethroned. And the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday will feature the two co-hosts - Australia and New Zealand.
Curiously, a win for Australia in the final would make them only the second country to lift the World Cup on home soil, after India in 2011.
And if New Zealand win, they'd be the second team after Sri Lanka in 1996 to win a World Cup as co-hosts, but playing the final in another country.
"Australia might have thought they were 20 or 30 short, but 328 has proven to be a very good score. The bowling and fielding for Australia was very good. It's a comprehensive win, a very professional performance."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
AFPCopyright: AFP
Champagne moment
AUSTRALIA BEAT INDIA BY 95 RUNS TO REACH WORLD CUP FINAL
"Australia's dominance over India extends to the final day. Australia will meet New Zealand in the final in what is shaping up as one of the great days of Antipodean sport."
WICKET
Yadav b Starc 0 (Ind 233 all out)
After teasing Yadav with a couple of deliveries, Starc ends the game by shattering the big paceman's stumps. And the fireworks start erupting over Sydney...
"There was a bit of venom in that. He turned his head away from that, which is a dangerous thing to do. There is no mercy being shown by Mitchell Starc."
Ouch!
Ind 233-9
Shami, having lost two partners from successive deliveries, swipes Starc for a single to third man. Starc shows no mercy to Yadav, hitting the big paceman on the chin with a bouncer, and there's even a spot of blood via his helmet grille.
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Ind 232-9
Yadav digs out a yorker to survive the hat-trick ball.
Theoretically, India need 97 from 24 balls to win. Not even hitting every ball for four would do it.
Post update
India are heading for the gallows here. Last man Umesh Yadav lopes to the wicket. Australia bring nearly everyone up into the slips.
"The angle did him. It was probably a slightly off-pace delivery, but Ashwin gave himself a lot of room. That's another nail in the coffin."
WICKET
Ashwin b Faulkner 5 (Ind 232-8)
Ashwin can't connect with a couple of shorter deliveries from Faulkner, before missing a straight one when he gives himself room.
The game is clearly up for India, but interestingly, Faulkner is rushing back to his mark between deliveries. Do they fear an over-rate fine?
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Dhoni goes, cue the biggest exodus since Moses led his people out of Egypt. Where once was a sea of blue shirts is now swathes of empty seats."
Ind 232-7 (target 329)
Mohammed Shami is the new batsman - just the three fast bowlers to come in now - and it's as if a weight has been lifted off Australia's shoulders.
Ashwin pushes a single, and for those of you on Fantasy Island, India need 97 from 30 balls to win. All they need is to sneak AB de Villiers onto the pitch in a Mohammed Shami mask. Or Superman - the effect is much the same.
"It looked as if Dhoni made no real effort to make his ground. If he'd dived full length he would have made it. A strange end to a strange innings - Dhoni threatened much but never delivered. That has to be curtains for India."
WICKET
Dhoni run out (Maxwell direct hit) 65 (Ind 231-7)
All over? Dhoni gone in bizarre circumstances, as he hits the ball to mid-wicket, where Glenn Maxwell has only one stump to aim at, and Dhoni seemingly slows up as he approaches the bowler's end - as if knowing he would be run out and have no chance if the throw hit. Which it did. Game over? Time for the fat lady to start warming up her vocal cords?
Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images
Ind 231-6
Mitchell Starc to bowl, with three left - will he send down overs 45, 47 and 49? Again, if Dhoni has a strategy, it may be to keep his powder dry for the lesser bowlers at the other end. India get a bonus run, and a bonus delivery, as a high, wide full toss is called a no-ball for height as it was above Ashwin's waist.
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Alice Stainer: Feeling a bit frustrated by India. Don't feel they are gunning for it enough. Somebody light their touchpaper, quick!
Ind 228-6 (target 329)
With the required rate up to 16, Dhoni seems reluctant to throw the kitchen sink at Johnson - again, three more singles mean it's five from the over. Johnson is done for the day with 2-50 from his 10.
India need 101 from 36 balls - six of which will probably come from Watson, 12 from Faulkner, and 18 from Starc.
"Faulkner has two overs remaining, and India will have their eye on him. Dhoni will be thinking he might be vulnerable."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 225-6
An interesting question - when should Australia use their remaining "part-time" over? Allan Border seems to agree with the theory that you can leave it until the 50th, in the hope that India could need 28 by then - and I think I concur. Johnson will finish his spell, and India can only manage two singles off the first three balls. 104 from 39 is the target.
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Taurai Mukahlera: That's settled! Man-of-the-match, Steven Smith. Unless MSD can hit the universe's most sensational ton
Ind 223-6 (target 329)
A low full toss is bludgeoned for one. Ashwin has to look for a single to get his skipper on strike, and an uppercut to third man does so with one ball left. And a single ensures Dhoni will face the next over with 106 needed from 42 balls.
"Dhoni has got to go now. He can't expect to get 25 an over from four overs - that's just ridiculous."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Post update
Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"Dejected India fans at the SCG feeling their batsmen are throwing away their precious wickets."
BBCCopyright: BBC
Post update
Australia are going to sneak through one of those part-time overs - Shane Watson to bowl.
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Prayags: Those 30 odd runs by Johnson at end of innings are proving to be decisive
Kudakwashe Chitanga: It's not go big or go home time but we are fast approaching that time. Dhoni needs to erupt soon
Disco Stu: Don't go out on your knees. Have a go, if you're bowled at in the 43rd so be it
Ind 208-6 (target 329)
Ravichandran Ashwin is a man who can frustrate you with the bat at Test level by hanging around, but can he play a match-winning support act to his captain? India will need 121 runs from 48 balls.
"Steve Smith has had a really good day. He only had two stumps to aim at. It's difficult to see where India go now."
WICKET
Jadeja run out (Smith direct hit) 16 (Ind 208-6)
A direct hit from man-of-the-match contender Steve Smith at backward point, and Jadeja is on his way.
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Umpire review
Dhoni goes for a quick single, but Australia think they've run out Jadeja at the striker's end...
APCopyright: AP
Ind 208-5
The dark destroyer returns to the attack - can India take on Mitchell Johnson? They know they'll still have two overs of part-timers Maxwell or Watson to face at some point - it'll be interesting to see when Clarke turns to them. In the meantime, they've got to get after the front-line bowlers too. The target is down to 121 from 50 balls.
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Tattz in Nottingham: Dhoni is the keyholder for a place in the final for India. If he is still there with wickets in hand with 10 overs to go, I would back India. Regardless, hoping for a close tense finish again!
"You've got to go at every bowler now. You've got to look for the boundary option early in the over."
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Ind 204-5 (Hazlewood 10-1-41-1)
After a couple of overs without a boundary, the India fans have the chance to wave their flags again as Jadeja slashes a four through backward point. Eight from the over, Hazlewood is bowled out, but eight's not enough when the required rate is spiralling towards 14... India need 125 from 54 balls.
"Clarke was going back. It's usually the fielder coming in who takes it - I think it might have been David Warner's catch. but Clarke did get two hands to it."
Dropped catch
Hazlewood back for his last over - Dhoni goes for the pull shot, skies the ball over mid-wicket and is dropped by captain Michael Clarke of all people, getting both hands to it. Turning point? David Warner was running in from the boundary, but one of them had to go for it...
"I think Dhoni could show a bit more urgency in terms of trying to look for boundaries. It's very strange. What is he doing? Singles don't count right now."
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Scorecard update
India 196-5 from 40 overs (target 329)
Batsmen: Dhoni 42 from 49 balls (3x4), Jadeja 9 from 11 (1x4)
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Dhawan 45), 78-2 (Kohli 1), 91-3 (Rohit 34), 108-4 (Raina 7), 178-5 (Rahane 44)
Dhoni is going to have to put the hammer down at some point - we're approaching "go big, or go home" time, but even against Faulkner, he and Jadeja can only plunder two singles each.
Strap yourselves in for the last 10 overs - India need 136 from 60 balls if they are not to relinquish their grip on the World Cup. In fact, they only need 135 to go through - as if it's a tie, India go through by virtue of a superior record in the group stage.
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Antoine V: Sad to see India bowing out without a real fight.
Louis Strong: Pretty faultless performance from the Aussies. Have a scooner fellas. Just don't play like this in summer please.
"It's very important what Dhoni's doing here, rotating the strike. He's not letting Mitchell Starc settle into facing either the left-hander or the right-hander."
Ind 192-5 (target 329)
Leg byes keep the scoreboard ticking, and allow India to rotate their left-hand/right-hand combination, but they won't keep you in contention when you need more than 12 an over... Starc strays down the leg side and is helped away for four by Jadeja, that's only the second four he's conceded today. Starc has 1-23 from seven - India need 137 from 66 balls.
"Rahane is the first wicket India have lost in the batting powerplay in the tournament. They had scored 235 runs off 32 overs in the batting powerplay before that wicket."
Ind 183-5
So much rests on captain MS Dhoni now. Faulkner into his seventh over, but India can only add four singles to the score. They need 146 from 12 overs to stay in the tournament, with the required rate up above 12.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"When are India are up, it's carnival atmosphere. When they are down, it's a more traditional affair. That is exactly what's happening now. There are no flags, now whistles, no drums. The Aussies wait to cheer their next step on the road to the final."
"Mitchell Starc really is bowling brilliantly at this World Cup. He's bowling fast, he's getting the new ball to swing, and he's getting the old ball to reverse. It's quite an intimidating prospect."
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Ind 179-5 (target 329)
Left-hander Ravindra Jadeja is the new batsman, Starc fires one at his feet, it hits the pad and rebounds to Aaron Finch who's donned a helmet to stand at short leg and he's nearly run out first ball as Finch throws down the stumps. A single brings Dhoni on strike, but a leg glance is straight to the man at short fine leg. An excellent powerplay over - two runs, one wicket. 150 needed from 78 balls.
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Niall McCaughan: Superb review there from Australia, that's why and how technology should be used in sport.
Manny Singh Grewal: Wow, that just sums up India's batting today.
"If there is anything there, it will be very faint. Backward point was adamant there was an edge."
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Umpire review
Australia rotate their trio of left-arm seamers - turning back to Mitchell Starc, who's been their star bowler at this tournament. Rahane gets a hint of a faint edge to the keeper, Haddin is sure there was a touch, and the Aussies decide to use their (unused) decision review...
"Dhoni's getting a little tickle on here. We're starting to see a bit more energy in his shots. This could be a very interesting five or ten minutes."
Powerplay
Ind 177-4 (target 329)
Watson off, Faulkner on as the powerplay is signalled, Dhoni carefully steers a single to the cover sweeper, and Rahane flicks one to short fine leg. Dhoni executes a well-placed square cut for four, and a single means this stand is now worth 68. The target is 152 from 84 balls.
While it won't rain, the fact that India are about 50 behind on the Duckworth-Lewis par score gives an indication that Australia are still on top. There have already been tears from Indian fans. But while there's life, there's hope?
"In the IPL, MS Dhoni has a knack of taking his team deeper, letting the rate get to 12 or 13 runs per over and then taking his side home. But it would be a good effort if he can do it on this stage at the SCG, against what Australia are going to throw at him."
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Ind 170-4 (Rahane 43*, Dhoni 29*)
Clarke is standing as a wide slip for Johnson, while there are some grim faces in the India dressing-room area. Just three singles and a well-run two taken as Dhoni changes his mind about taking Johnson on with a big slog, and with 159 needed from 15 overs (90 balls), it's batting powerplay o'clock...
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Nigel, Leeds: Opinion in the office this morning is India need to be within about 100 runs with 10 left to make this a contest.
Post update
We have a change of bails between overs. Perhaps these new flashing bails run out of battery as easily as modern smartphones do?
Close!
Ind 165-4 (target 329)
Australia respond by putting fine leg back, opening up the bouncer option for Watson - Rahane gives him the charge again but can't connect. The right-hander has a big grin on his face as captain Dhoni comes down for a friendly word. Rahane executes a perfect Mahela Jayawardene-style tickle to third man for two, then skies a pull shot towards long leg... and again it falls safely, reaching Hazlewood on the bounce, to the frustration of captain Clarke.
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Rakesh Pradhan: Aussie fifth and sixth bowlers are going to have to go. India desperately need some rope clearance shenanigans.
Peter Archer: NZ won from similar position, four down when Anderson & Elliott came together. India can still do it.
Ind 161-4
Rahane comes down the wicket and smacks Watson for four over the top to bring up the fifty stand.
"Dhoni is a guy whose mind is very difficult to read. You never know what he's thinking or what he's going to do, and that's what makes him so special."
Drinks break
Ind 157-4
Dhoni has to defend a short ball from the fiery Johnson, who now has 2-36 from seven overs. Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan on TMS is disappointed the SCG DJ hasn't yet played "Sweet Caroline", as Dhoni takes advantage of a drinks break to leave the field, presumably for a comfort break.
India need 172 from 17 overs - the required rate is 10.11.
"Against this Australia attack, with the pace element, I just can't see how India can consistently strike a cricket ball for 179 runs off 108 balls. But India will have a go."
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Ind 156-4
Australia preserve Hazlewood's last over and call on big, bad Mitchell Johnson for another spell. And it's like 2010-11 all over again as Johnson bowls to the left (or the right, depending on your perspective), slinging a wide out of Rahane's reach before another full delivery is swiped wide of slip for four.
"The most runs scored between overs 31 and 50 batting second in an ODI is 184 by Pakistan v Bangladesh at Mirpur in 2014 (Pakistan won by 3 wickets). India need 191 off the last 20 overs today."
Ind 150-4 (target 329)
Australia will know every Watson over here, is an over that needn't be bowled by Faulkner or Maxwell. Rahane, who's been a bit quiet lately, brings out the pull shot and it reaches deep mid-wicket on the first bounce as they run one. Dhoni nicks the strike as he moves to 25, one behind his partner.
Dhoni is riding his luck a little here, another edge - this time a top edge - brings him four over the wicketkeeper's head. Hazlewood, fairly impressive today, has one over left. I suspect England fans might see him on the Ashes tour this summer.
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Vickram Grewal: As always, India have left it to Dhoni to save the game and keep us in the World Cup.
Rakesh Pradhan: This is the point where someone says nine an over is gettable in the IPL especially with MS Dhoni at the crease.
Ind 142-4
Dhoni sends umpire Dhamarsena toppling to the floor to preserve his own safety as he lashes Hazlewood over his head for four. I'm sure there are a few titters around the ground - just as there are at football whenever the referee takes a tumble.
"Watson is not quite the sleekest automobile, so he takes a while to get going."
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Ind 138-4 (target 329)
Even the Indian fans in the crowd seem mostly becalmed as right-arm seamer Shane Watson comes on as Australia's sixth bowler - still walking back to his mark as though he's a hamstring injury waiting to happen. More medium-fast than fast-medium these days, Watson is playing at his fourth World Cup but keeps it tight, five from the over and the required rate will soon be in double figures.
"I think Ajinkya Rahane has the best technique of all the Indian batsmen, including Kohli. His foot movement and alignment at the point of release are perfect."
Ind 133-4 (Rahane 23*, Dhoni 14*)
What did I just say about risk-free cricket? Australia look to turn the screw by recalling Josh Hazlewood - Dhoni swings at the young right-arm paceman, the ball flies off an edge and safely down to third man for two. But the India skipper can only collect a single off the rest of the over. he has 14 from 18 balls, Rahane has a more ponderous 23 from 44.
"This is a big ask, but you can never say never with MS Dhoni."
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Ind 130-4 (target 329)
Vic Marks mentioned on TMS earlier how this World Cup had rather eliminated the usual middle-overs tedium because of the need to take wickets - but India are in risk-free rebuilding mode here, sticking to ones and twos against Maxwell. At this stage, the Aussies were 147-1, and must be in the box seat here.
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Sukh Singh from Birmingham: Equation is simple. IF Dhoni is there until the 50th over THEN India win.
Ind 125-4 (Rahane 22*, Dhoni 7*)
Four singles from the over - Faulkner has 1-44 from five, and India still need 204 more from 23 overs.
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Jim Cooper: Australia need to push on from here and get a resounding win. That would give them the mental edge on New Zealand.
Close!
Ind 123-4
While Harsha Bhogle and Allan Border on TMS compare their official ICC ties, Faulkner begins his fifth over under the SCG floodlights, and Indian hearts are in mouths when Dhoni pulls towards deep square leg... but it bounces just in front of David Warner, sporting a pantomime villain's moustache, who comes hurtling in from the boundary.
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Team of the tournament
Jack Butcher: B McCullum (capt), M Guptill, R Sharma, K Sangakarra (wk), S Smith, AB, G Maxwell, W Riaz, R Ashwin, T Boult, M Starc.
Dan Stewart: K Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, M Guptill, S Smith, B McCullum, G Maxwell, F du Plessis, T Boult, M Starc, U Yadav, I Tahir.
Rob Cobban (possibly with his tongue in his cheek?): De Kock, Jamshed, Ballance, Jayawardene, Morgan, Ramdin, Faulkner, Broad, Kalusekara, Panyangara, Anderson.
Ind 121-4 (target 329)
Many thanks, James - the role of "finisher" is not one to be borne lightly... It's just what Australia would have wanted to be able to whistle through a few overs of Faulkner and Maxwell - clearly the lesser bowlers of their attack - while India regroup, before unleashing their fast men. Maxwell is milked for six singles - the required rate is up above eight and a half.
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Ilyas Najib: The writing is on the wall for India now, but if anyone can win if from here, it is the Indians.
Jared Maobe: The best team of #CWC15, India is headed to defeat, to the best team of knockout phase Australia.
Ind 115-4
James Faulkner continues. Rahane pinches a couple of twos to deep midwicket to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Time to hand you back to Mark Mitchener to take you through to the conclusion.
"The Indian fans in the crowd were incredible earlier. I never thought I'd see Australia play an away game at the SCG."
Jonathan Agnew adds: "It's normally like that when England play in Barbados, with more away fans than locals. I think the Barmies have saved their money for that tour rather than this one, and I think they're right to do so."
Ind 110-4 (Rahane 13, Dhoni 1)
MS Dhoni may be the finisher but India are an awful long way from the finish line here. He opens his account with a single into the covers.
"329 looks a long way away - Raina's a dangerous player, he was trying to run it down to third man which is very much a one-day shot. You can't help but think think is the partnership now to get India close - MS Dhoni is very much the finisher."
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WICKET
Raina c Haddin b Faulkner 7 (Ind 108-4)
Disaster for India, just what they didn't need one of their most experienced ODI batsmen to do. The ball after whipping Faulkner for four, Suresh Raina aims an awful indeterminate poke at a rising ball outside off and Brad Haddin takes a good leaping catch.
"Australia have taken the most wickets between overs 11 and 20 in the tournament: 13 at 25.63. New Zealand are second with 12 at 31.41."
Ind 102-3 (Rahane 11, Raina 2)
India need to rebuild a platform here, as Glenn Maxwell tries to scoot through a few cheap overs for Australia. The boundary rope is proving hard to find at the moment for India, but Raina is off the mark with a punch into the covers.
"There were some animated words between the umpire and Mitchell Starc at the end of that over. Hopefully nothing untoward. If they keep their discipline, you'd think Australia should do it from here."
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Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"India fans dejected, already, amidst a silent SCG. Difficult to win now."
BBCCopyright: BBC
Ind 98-3
A strangled appeal as Ajinkya Rahane has a big swish across the line at a rising lifter from Mitchell Starc. Plenty of chat out in the middle as Starc throws the ball at the stumps and Rahane blocks it with his pads, then Starc is wided twice in succession as a little bit of reverse swing begins to become apparent. Raina still waiting to get off the mark.
Scorecard update
India 95-3 from 20 overs (target 329)
Batsmen: Rahane 8*, Raina 0*
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Dhawan 45), 78-2 (Kohli 1), 91-3 (Rohit 34)
"Johnson gave Rohit the Andy Roberts treatment there. Slower short ball, pulled for four. Next ball, speed of light, leg bail removed. Game over?"
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Ind 95-3 (run rate 4.75)
Time for the Big Show. Glenn Maxwell is into the attack. Michael Clarke will need to get 20 overs out of part-timers and all-rounders, so this will be a key facet of the game, and Maxy could have an important role to play. He begins well, conceding just a single from his first over.
"Top of the stumps, I think only one bail came out. You can see how much it means to Mitchell Johnson, he ran past the batsman to the keeper and leapt in the air. If there's a flaw in Suresh Raina's batting, you know he's going to be targeted by the short ball like we used to do with him."
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Ind 94-3
Suresh Raina comes to the crease with India under the pump. Michael Clarke goes for the jugular, bringing back Mitchell Starc. He keeps Ajinkya Rahane on the back foot with four dots, before the batsman eases the pressure with two to mid-on.
WICKET
Rohit b Johnson 34 (Ind 91-3)
Got him! Mitchell Johnson is turning this match in Australia's favour. Rohit pumps him for a big six over cow corner. Bad move. You really don't want to make Mitch angry when he's in this mood. He cleans him up next ball with an absolute ripper, cross-seam, nipping back, rattling the top of the timbers. He goes absolutely bananas in celebration.
"I was standing next to Josh Hazlewood in the lobby the other day and he's a tall, strong guy, it's no surprise he's done well here. He towered over me and I felt intimidated."
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Ind 82-2
Hazlewood is bowling really well here, finding a consistent line and length and using his 6ft 6in frame to extract sharp bounce from the pitch. Just two from his latest over.
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Jay: Someone has taught Kohli the English way of batting. Wasting balls. getting out to Johnson, etc...
Ravi Arora: Trying not to miss a ball. breakfast burnt!
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Kevin: Let us all remember that this game would be rubbish if it was 40 overs. The 50-over game is terrific, if we'd just play a little less of it and stop changing the rules every five minutes. When the game matters then the middle overs build up the tension and that's what makes cricket the best sport in the world. Twenty20 is for morons with short attention spans and no understanding. Good luck to any side who can chase nearly 330 in a World Cup semi, especially when you live in India. Pressure does strange things to people.
Ind 80-2 (Rohit 26, Rahane 1)
Mitchell Johnson has got the blood pumping through his veins now. He tests Ajinkya Rahane first ball with a bouncer that absolutely snorts off the track and pins the batsman on the handle. Rahane does very well to fend it away for a single to get off the mark.
"That's a bit of a worry now for India, though they've got some good players to come. There's a lot of batting left in that dressing-room. Their run rate's OK and they can score eight, nine or 10 an over. Australia's spinner is not a world-recognised spinner, and India play spin brilliantly."
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WICKET
Kohli c Haddin b Johnson 1 (Ind 78-2)
Johnson wins the battle! The Australia paceman snarls in delight as he gets the wicket his team craved, a sharp bouncer hurrying Kohli into a mistimed hook that loops in the air and is safely pouched by Brad Haddin. Kohli tormented Australia in the Test series, he knocks off centuries in big run chases for fun, but today is not his day. Australia are all fired up.
"Virat's one of my buddies. He's not calm in an MS Dhoni way, but he always seeks to improve and become the best player he can. To all the kids watching - it's not about how aggressively you play."
Ind 77-1
Josh Hazlewood has his tail up now. He fancies a crack at Virat Kohli, arguably the world's premier ODI batsman. He serves him an absolute jaffa first up, slightly back of a length, just outside off and eliciting a tentative push from Kohli. Perhaps chastened by that, Kohli plays out a watchful maiden from the remaining deliveries. Australia coming back well here.
Post update
Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"This picture shows seriously Indians take their cricket! People trying to not miss a single ball even during their lunch break."
"Virat Kohli has a wonderful chasing head on his shoulders, but this is as big as it gets. When you've got all the shots, and it's your day, you're going to just nail it. He plays 360, he plays spinners and seamers so well, and he can pick where to play his shots."
Mitchell Johnson against Virat Kohli. No quarter given. Johnson ties the new batsman down with five dots, before Kohli gets off the mark with a single to third man.
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Simon Bachelor: Easy paced pitch this, India bowled 21 overs of spin at five an over, pacers went at 7.7, think Aussies are in trouble!
Craig Murray: Aussies fell apart when Smith went and haven't put themselves back together again. Crowd is going crazy.
"A big wicket for Australia, Shikhar Dhawan tried to hit it over mid-off but he hit it straight to deep point."
Ind 76-1
Virat Kohli, a man for a big run-chase, strides to the crease.
WICKET
Dhawan c Maxwell b Hazlewood 45 (Ind 76-1)
Big wicket! Big, big wicket. India were on the charge and Shikhar Dhawan was taking the game away from Australia in a raucous SCG, but young Josh Hazlewood has made the crucial breakthrough.
Dhawan steps down the track, goes to hit Hazlewood hard inside out over the covers, hits it beautifully but Glenn Maxwell is waiting at deep extra to swallow it up. Dhawan can't believe what he's done. The only man in the entire postcode and he picked him out.
"Shikhar Dhawan has the wood over James Faulkner at the moment. Clarke might have to bring on Shane Watson or even Glenn Maxwell to change things."
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Ind 73-0 (Rohit 21, Dhawan 45)
Faulkner is retained by Cap'n Clarke but his woes continue as he overpitches just fractionally and Dhawan creams him down the ground, making a perfectly respectable delivery into a half-volley. Dhawan is on the charge here and he follows beauty with brutality, stepping down the track and bludgeoning Faulkner over the umpire's head for another boundary. Hands-on-hips time for Michael Clarke, problems mounting for Australia.
On Twitter: The World Cup all-star selections... Do you agree with our panel? And can you guess whose is whose?!
The composite team was: Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Steve Smith, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Morne Morkel. 12th man: Mohammed Shami.
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Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"This is quite curious. During all of India's games, a message will come on to the big screen at various points. Flanked by pictures of Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan and prompted by the stadium announcer, India fans are urged to chant 'Cling on to the Cup'. No other team is given this treatment. How odd that, at an ICC event, India are given favourable treatment."
Ind 60-0
This is a big test for Mitchell Johnson. For many years he's been the go-to man for Australia, but in this World Cup he's taken a back-seat role. Now his team need him to come alive grab them a wicket again. He's striving for the toe-crunching yorker, but he's just straying a touch leg-side at the moment, allowing India to dab him for singles. Five off the over, India cooking on gas.
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Scorecard update
India 55-0 from 10 overs (target 329)
Batsmen: Rohit 19, Dhawan 32
Bowling figures: Starc 3-0-9-0, Hazlewood 4-0-15-0, Johnson 2-0-12-0, Faulkner 1-0-16-0
Australia 328-7: Smith 105, Finch 81, Yadav 4-72, Mohit 2-75
"It's as if they were waiting for James Faulkner to bowl. He's going to have to change something from here."
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Dhawan 4-4-6
Ind 55-0 (run rate 5.5)
Michael Clarke is determined not to let the batsmen settle here - he rings the changes again, bringing in James Faulkner. The bowler commits a cardinal sin with this first delivery, overstepping the no-ball line to give away a free hit, but he partly redeems himself by restricting Rohit to a single off the free-hit ball.
That brings Dhawan to the crease and he decides he wants to knock Faulkner off his stride. He laces him past mid-off for consecutive fours, then pummels him into the stands at midwicket for a huge six! India on the attack. 16 off the over
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Shirish: Just preserve wickets. Any run rate is achievable on this flat pitch if you have wickets in hand.
Sophia Swain: Signal dropped, lost 5 Live, tutted so loudly I surprised myself. More cricket, less going to work I say!
"It'll be interesting to see how Mitchell Johnson goes. He had a beauty of a cameo with the bat today, 27 from nine balls, but hasn't looked in the best of form with the ball. I'm probably being a bit unkind to him there, but after the success he's had in the last year and a half, you'd have been expecting him to lead the attack - and the crucial overs and wickets have gone to Mitchell Starc instead."
Ind 39-0
Johnson switches his angle of attack, moving around the wicket to try and slant the ball across the bows of the left-handed Dhawan. But once again Dhawan is equal to Australia's best-laid plans, using Johnson's pace to caress the ball through point for four. Johnson switches back over the wicket: a small psychological victory for the opening batsman.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Wicketkeepers often like to leave 'room for brilliance', room between themselves and first slip so both can move without getting in each other's way. That was certainly what was going on with Haddin, it would have been a better than brilliant catch. Thing is, he dropped it, so first slip looks a bit wide."
"Australia have had a couple of opportunities already - one half chance, and a straightforward chance for a keeper of Brad Haddin's capability, so they'll be disappointed with that."
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Ind 33-0 (Rohit 18, Dhawan 12)
Hazlewood continues. India's openers rotate strike for three singles.
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Team of the tournament
Rana W U Rehman: B McCullum (C), Guptill, Sanga (wk), S Smith, AB, Maxwell, Riaz, Tahir, Starc, T Boult, M Morkel. (12: Ashwin)
Mobeen Ahmad Tahir: B McCullum(C), R Sharma, K Sangakkara(W), S Smith, AB De Villiers, G Maxwell, Dan Vettori, M Johnson, M Starc, W Riaz, T Boult.
"Stunning view over the famous pavilion as the sun sets for the last time at the Sydney Cricket Ground at this World Cup."
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Rohit six
Ind 30-0
Michael Clarke doesn't take long to shuffle his pack - he brings on Mitchell Johnson in place of Mitchell Starc, who has been Australia's number one wicket-taking bowler in this tournament. Johnson tries to rough up Rohit with an early short ball but the batsman plays it superbly, swivelling to intercept it around his ears with the middle of the bat and depositing it into the stands for the first maximum of India's innings.
"There was a time when someone got 329 you'd think 'we are done for so we might as well go hell for leather'. But this India side know it is attainable if you just play modern one-day cricket."
Australia are trying to push Shikhar Dhawan onto the back foot, not allowing him any width to free his hands. The opener manages to nab two off the last ball of Hazlewood's over with a push to mid-off. Steady start for India.
"A little shimmy down the pitch from Dhawan and Haddin dived full left. He was justified going for it. He went with two hands but he might have been better going with one. It would have been a very photogenic catch and it was travelling."
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Ind 20-0
Starc screams a huge appeal as he strikes Dhawan on the ankle with a tailing yorker. The Australians opt not to review, and replays show the ball was sliding down leg. The early breakthrough continues to prove tantalisingly elusive for Australia.
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Ind 15-0 (Rohit 8, Dhawan 6)
Well, how costly could that miss be for Australia? Earlier in the over Dhawan had served notice of his threat by pulling Hazlewood through midwicket for four.
Dropped catch
Down! Shikhar Dhawan advances at Josh Hazlewood, trying to hit him through the off side, and gets a healthy edge behind, but the flying Brad Haddin can only push it away with his fingertips.
"Mitchell Starc looks in good rhythm again. When fast bowlers bowl really quickly it looks effortless and that is how it appears for Starc at the moment."
Ind 9-0
Starc misfires with a big full toss that Rohit doesn't really take full advantage of, only managing to flash it down to third man for a single. That aberration aside, Australia's strike bowler is on the money early on, keeping his line and length tight and extracting a hint of movement to keep the batsmen honest.
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Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Consensus around the press box is that Rohit was out. Watson's displeasure was clear. He masticated his gum like a bulldog chewing a wasp."
Ind 7-0 (Rohit 6, Dhawan 1)
The lanky Josh Hazlewood, who had an excellent game in the quarter-finals against Pakistan, takes the new ball from the other end. Dhawan is immediately off the mark with a powerful cut shot that David Warner does well to parry at point. Rohit gets another early reprieve when Hazlewood hurries him into a mistime hook and the ball loops just beyond the desperate clutches of the retreating Brad Haddin.
Ind 4-0
Rohit rubs salt into the wounds, easing Starc through point with a beautifully-timed square drive. But Starc is getting plenty of late swing, and he draws a false stroke from Rohit again, edging one just short of Michael Clarke at third slip this time.
Post update
Third umpire Marais Erasmus decides the ball bounced before it was scooped up by Watson's outstretched fingers. Not out, Rohit survives.
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Umpire review
Well now, what's happened here? Rohit Sharma has edged one and Shane Watson thinks he might have caught it before it hit the turf. We're going upstairs...
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Right, after that entertaining debate, back to the serious business, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are at the crease, Mitchell Starc has the new ball, and we're ready to get under way again...
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And on that note, India are ready to begin their run chase. 329 to reach the World Cup final against New Zealand. Ready to talk you through the first part of their innings is the award-winning James Gheerbrant.
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Team of the tournament
So, the final team as selected by Aggers, Vic, Michael and Jim:
Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Steve Smith, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Morne Morkel. 12th man: Mohammed Shami.
I'm sure you will have different thoughts - do send them in.
"Shami's not in yet, so there's not one Indian in the team yet. The television rights are going out of the window. Commercially, it's not going to work. We've got to have Ashwin or Shami in!"
"If you look at this World Cup it has been all about batting. But Vettori has 15 wickets at around 18 average. And he is a real pest at the end when he comes to bat."
Division among the selectors at number four - Vic goes for Steve Smith, Jim picks AB de Villiers, while Aggers and Michael Vaughan both go for Mahmudullah.
Other votes are coming in for Brendan Taylor and Virat Kohli among others. They'll come back to number four.
"In the old days, we'd have said 'that's it, game done and dusted' but we don't any more. New Zealand got 299 in 43 overs in Auckland, although it's a different-shaped pitch - so it can be done."
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England batsman James Taylor: Vital runs at the end there by Johnson. Big chase but if any team can knock these off it's India!
Time to keep your ears pinned back on Test Match Special - as they're going to be picking their team of the tournament.
Vic Marks, Michael Vaughan and Jim Maxwell will be joining Aggers on the selection panel - the others will be trying to stop Jim naming an all-Aussie XI - but you can send us your picks for the XI via email, text or Twitter in the usual way. We'd love to hear from you.
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Player reaction
Australia centurion Steve Smith: "I think it's a good total, we're going to have to bowl and field well though. At the start, if you're offered 330, I reckon you take that nine times out of 10. It's going to be about squeezing and hopefully the bowlers can do a job for us. It's always nice getting hundreds at the SCG and hopefully the boys can back it up in the field now."
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"The first audible cries of 'Come on Aussie, come on' are a sign that the home fans think their team have done enough. The Australia hitters just kept coming - 70 runs were taken from the final six overs. It could have been much, much worse for India, but you still feel that the Aussies have too many."
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Post update
India would have bitten your hand off to be chasing 329 when Australia were cruising at 197-1 in the 35th over. They did peg the co-hosts back with regular wickets after that, but it will have to be a record-breaking run chase - no team has ever chased over 300 in a World Cup knockout game. But would you dare bet against India? Game very much on.
"Australia played very well and those last three or four over have put them in a formidable position. They will have to bowl well, but I'd rather be in the Australian dressing-room."
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End-of-innings scorecard
Australia 328-7 (50 overs)
Batsmen: Haddin 7 from 7 balls, Johnson 27 from nine balls (4x4 and 1x6)
"It's a formidable chase, but it's not nearly as many as it looked like it might be."
Aus 328-7
He can only chop a single off the last ball, but Johnson has given Australia a bit of impetus at the end of that innings. He certainly has something to bowl at.
Six
Aus 327-7
He's seeing it like a football here - Johnson waits for a slower ball and pummels it over mid-wicket for six. He has 26 from eight balls.
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Aus 321-7
To add to India's misery, Johnson lofts a four over mid-off. Two balls to go.
"Kohli is signalling that he lost it. He had three grasps at it, he almost got it under control, and it still wriggled out."
Dropped catch
Aus 317-7
Three men on the legside fence, Haddin obligingly hoists it to Virat Kohli at deep mid-wicket but is dropped by the India vice-captain who has three attempts but puts it down. Uh-oh.
"Only one team has chased 300 successfully in any ODI at the SCG: Australia made 334-8 v England in 2011. No team has chased 300 in a World Cup knockout game."
Aus 316-7
Sharma or Yadav to bowl? Despite Yadav's four wickets, it's Sharma. He restricts Johnson to a two and a single at the start of the over. Four balls left, Haddin on strike.
"That was a poorly executed over, in terms of the disciplines and skills which are required."
Aus 313-7
Third man comes up - and Johnson obligingly swipes it over his head for four to maintain his strike rate of 400 from his first three balls. A careful single to cover means he'll be on strike for the last over. I'd say India would settle for anything under 320...
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Post update
Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"Just took another walk outside the BBC office in Delhi and the anxious faces are now looking happy. Almost every single person here believes that India can chase any score less than 350. I was offered some sweets as well. Too early to celebrate?"
Aus 308-7
Johnson heaves his first ball for four over mid-on, that was right in the slot for the big left-hander. Another big whack, this time wide of mid-off, brings him four more despite the fielder's despairing dive.
"Australia have got 300 on the board and they've got 10 balls to go but it still feels only around a par score. But in a World Cup semi-final, give me 300 runs on the board every time."
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Aus 300-7
Shami to bowl - though there's a brief delay while India work out they need another man up in the circle. Haddin toe-ends it straight to mid-off - dot ball. A more fluent strike to the same fielder and they go for a quick single, Johnson dawdles but the throw is wide. 300 up - for the first time in a World Cup semi-final.
Aus 299-7 (Haddin 5*, Johnson 0*)
Mitchell Johnson, the dark destroyer who was giving England nightmares on this ground just over a year ago, is the new batsman, but Haddin ensures he keeps the strike with a single.
"Watson picked the slower ball out of the back of the hand, but he didn't quite get underneath it enough. But he's played quite nicely - he's just grabbed the momentum back Australia's way."
WICKET
Watson c Rahane b Mohit Sharma 28 (Aus 298-7)
But going for another big hit, Australia lose another wicket as Watson picks out the man at deep square leg.
Jay: When you have Haddin coming in at 8, you'd expect a score of about 350 every time. India have bowled well to pull Aus back!
Louis Strong: Australia should push for 320 here. Such a great start should be rewarded with a positive score for Ozzies.
Aus 298-6
Mohit Sharma to bowl. Time for Watson to go big? Moving around his crease, he gives himself room to smack a four past cover, and chip a back-of-the-hand slower ball over square leg for two. A fierce pull sails wide of deep mid-wicket for a first-bounce four.
"Faulkner was going for that favoured area at midwicket, and he just missed it."
WICKET
Faulkner b Yadav 21 (Aus 284-6)
Having successfully slogged Yadav for four to his favoured leg side, Faulkner aims another hack across the line and Yadav shatters his stumps. 21 from 12 balls for Faulkner, and just when Australia look to be hitting the accelerator, they get nabbed by an Indian speed camera. So to speak.
"I don't think Faulkner even knows there is an off side. I think he's just looking at the leg side, thinking 'That stand looks inviting'."
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Aus 279-5
Jadeja keeps it tight after that six - just two more runs added as Watson retains the strike by slapping a single to the cover sweeper.
Six
Aus 277-5
Dhoni changes his mind as Mohit Sharma marks out his run-up at the Paddington End before the ball is thrown to Jadeja for his last over. Faulkner gets down on one knee to swat a flat six over mid-wicket.
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Aus 271-5
Short again from Mohammed Shami, and that's meat and drink for Faulkner who pulls a four wide of deep backward square leg. Watson, backing away, does well to dig out a yorker aimed at his feet but the bowler follows through to prevent "Watto" stealing a run. Five overs to go.
"The best death bowlers in world cricket are watching the batsman right up until they release the ball. I always think as a death bowler you should aim for the batsman's right boot."
Aus 266-5
Dhoni is rotating his bowlers in one-over spells it's Shami back and Watson clubs him for three through cover before Faulkner goes for a big slog and the ball slices over the keeper for four.
"The dismissal of Maxwell was the 500th catch in this World Cup. It is the first time there have been 500 catches in a World Cup. The previous most was 449 in 2003."
Aus 258-5 (Watson 13*, Faulkner 1*)
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin frustrates Watson with three dot balls - but then after knocking a two to long-off, the Queenslander slog-sweeps a six towards the Ladies' Pavilion at cow corner. Shades of his dominant batting during the 2009 Champions Trophy. Ashwin has finished his spell with 1-42 from 10 overs.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"The shifting momentum is being felt from Manly to Mumbai. Clarke becomes the fourth Aussie to fall to the shortish ball, and the SCG sounds like the Wankhede. India are buzzing in the field, Australia stuttering with the bat. Did they go too hard, too soon? Dhoni would bite a gloved hand off for a chase of around 300."
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Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"Sheer excitement amongst India fans as Clarke departs! Electrifying!"
BBCCopyright: BBC
Aus 250-5
Big-hitting all-rounder James Faulkner is the man in at seven. The right-hander has to defend a lifter from Mohit, who comes down the track to exchange a word or two. Just two singles from a very tight over.
Text 81111
James Marshall: Australia will need 350 on this wicket. Anything short of that and it's game on for India.
"Clarke is just not in great form - he's struggled with injury over the past few months. This last half an hour has gone all India's way and they're back in the contest."
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WICKET
Clarke c Rohit Sharma b Mohit Sharma 10 (Aus 248-5)
Got him! Captain Clarke tries to force the pace and pulls to wide mid-on where Rohit Sharma takes another catch. The Rohit-Mohit combo strikes.
With more firepower to come - James Faulkner and Brad Haddin, for starters - Australia still have the licence to go up a gear when they think fit. Clarke guides his first four off his legs - the first boundary for four overs, since before those two wickets fell.
Jadeja, spinning the ball from hand to hand, is economical with his run up - only two or three paces - and is equally miserly with the rest of his over. Given that the "slog" overs routinely go for 10-15 these days, India will be relatively happy with these last few overs.
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Richie O'Hara Beamand: Next few overs could be crucial now, Australia had looked very comfortable but those few wickets have opened this one up...
"This is a wonderful phase for India. Australia are just re-gathering - the slog may not come until the final five overs now."
Aus 241-4
A brief "who to bowl?" conference between the India brains trust sees Yadav's last two overs kept in reserve as Mohammed Shami returns. A roar from the Indian fans greets an athletic stop from the lively Jadeja as Watson adds a single - Shami tests Clarke with a bouncer, but he doesn't have the pace of a Wahab Riaz to discombobulate the Aussie skipper. Another better over for India - just two from it.
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Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"MS Dhoni doesn't do conventional. Remember him standing back to the left-arm spin of Jadeja during last year's Lord's Test? Now we're seeing some outrageous field settings.
"Firstly, Yadav to Clarke, five men in the ring, straight, including a man almost behind the umpire, peering around the non-striker from edge of the 30-yard circle. Then, Jadeja to Watson, only three men on the leg side, just one saving a single between long on and deep backward square."
Scorecard update
Australia 239-4 (40 overs)
Batsmen: Watson 2, Clarke 3
Fall of wickets: 15-1 (Warner 12), 197-2 (Smith 105), 232-3 (Maxwell 23), 233-4 (Finch 81)
Dhoni swaps his spinners over as slow left-armer Jadeja, his beard now bushier than much of the hair on the top of his head, returns for his eighth over. It's rebuilding time for Clarke and Watson, who help themselves to two singles apiece. Last 10 coming up.
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Zubair Ahmed: I know how wickets are falling in Sydney without watching the match live - by hearing the deafening screams of my colleagues.
Gurjeet Johal: Got him! Damage control now, must keep it to 300.
Aus 235-4 (Yadav 8-0-63-3)
Captain Michael Clarke is in at six, two lower than his place on the scorecard - fair to expect that these two will get a bit of "chin music" after the way he and Watson suffered at the hands of Pakistan's Wahab Riaz during the quarter-final.
Clarke pulls a single to bring Watson on strike for the first time - his first ball is another legside wide from Yadav. But a vital over has brought one wicket at the cost of two runs.
"That's Yadav's third wicket, and two of them have been with the short ball. It just came on to Finch a bit quicker with a bit more bounce. India will feel they've got a chance if they can get a couple of tight overs in here."
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WICKET
Finch c Dhawan b Yadav 81 (Aus 233-4)
Yadav re-ties his shoelaces - and it may have done the trick as he bangs in a bouncer which Finch hits straight to short mid-wicket. Suddenly, the old "add two wickets to the score" maxim comes to mind - as from being well set, Australia have two new batsmen in, neither of whom have faced a ball, while the Indian fans are back on their feet.
One powerful right-handed all-rounder replaces another as Aussie captain Michael Clarke keeps himself back and sends Shane Watson out to replace Maxwell. But he'll have to wait to face a ball as Finch nicks the strike with a single.
"It's an incredibly important wicket - we know how dangerous Glenn Maxwell can be. Ashwin fired that particular ball in a lot quicker."
WICKET
Maxwell c Rahane b Ashwin 23 (Aus 232-3)
Ravichandran Ashwin returns as India turn back to spin - and does for Maxwell as the bearded right-hander obligingly lofts one down deep square leg's throat. A cameo of 23 from 14 balls for Maxwell.
"It's a good job that Yadav didn't get any fingers to that shot - he would have lost them. These two batsmen are like coiled springs - they can create mayhem."
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Aus 231-2 (Finch 79*, Maxwell 23*)
Maxwell shows he can hit straight as well, with a cross-batted baseball-style blast over the bowler for four - a taller bowler like Mohammad Irfan might have risked decapitation. Only a good stop by Ajinkya Rahane at cover prevents the fourth boundary of the over. Good news for India: the powerplay is over. But will four men on the boundary be enough to stem the tide?
"He's waiting for the short ball now, Maxwell. He knows he's going to get a lot of short stuff, so he's just lurking on the back foot - these two bowlers aren't Wahab Riaz in terms of pace."
Maxwell six
Aus 227-2
Finch survives his umpteenth lbw appeal of the tournament - it looked high again - as they scamper a leg bye. Maxwell effortlessly pulls a short ball for four between the scouts out on the legside boundary at long leg and deep square leg - and then launches one into the stratosphere over mid-wicket, landing several rows back in the stand. A poor ball, and Maxwell gave it the treatment it deserved.
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Rana W U Rehman: Thunder Storm from Maxwell coming up...
Mark Pettman: TV showing projected score using 4, 6 or 8 runs per over. Wake up boys! Should show 8, 10 and 12 rpo these days.
Aus 216-2
A rather needless referral to the third umpire as Finch pushes a quick single, a direct hit breaks the stumps at the striker's end and it goes upstairs, even though Maxwell had nearly passed the stumps by the time the wicket was down. More busy singles mean it's 10 off the over.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"As the shadows begin to creep across the SCG, we get a perfect demonstration of how difficult it is to be a bowler in an ODI. Powerplay, three men outside the ring; third man, fine leg, deep square. Shami is going to bowl short. He knows it. Finch knows it. The crowd know it and the man watching on TV in Mumbai knows it. The result? A flick to fine leg for four."
Aus 213-2
A change of ends for Mohammed Shami as India captain MS Dhoni rotates his pace triumvirate. Maxwell steps back and slashes a two over the keeper, while Finch helps another ball down the leg side for four. At times like this, captains would want at least 12 fielders, or maybe 14, to plug all those gaps.
"I think Maxwell's got a bit of a licence to take his time. He can take a look at a dozen balls or so, and then really go for broke."
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Aus 206-2 (Finch 73*, Maxwell 5*)
Yadav's radar is all over the place, another wide makes it three for the over and five for the innings - nearly a whole extra over for Australia. And the stage is set, with 15 overs left, for Maxwell - once dubbed "The Big Show" - to tee off, big time.
Post update
Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"India are bowling too short to Australia, especially on a flat wicket. Bowlers getting exposed!"
Aus 204-2
They crossed on the catch, so it's Finch to face Yadav - who sends down two post-drinks wides, trying to test the opener with the short ball. A leg bye brings Maxwell on strike (and brings up 200), and he's off the mark with his first ball, flicking a four off his legs.
"India have made the breakthrough, but it could be an untimely one, with Glenn Maxwell coming in. We've seen teams from this position score at least 150 or 160 in the last part of the innings."
Drinks break
As Allan Border predicted, Glenn Maxwell is the new batsman - but before he can join the action, the umpires signal for a drinks break.
WICKET
Smith c Rohit Sharma b Yadav 105 (Aus 197-2)
And just as suddenly, it's all over for Smith as he top-edges a pull shot from the recalled Umesh Yadav and is pouched at deep mid-wicket. A breathtaking innings from the new golden boy of Australian cricket. But there is plenty of firepower to come.
"It's so hard to bowl in these powerplays. Whatever you do, if you get clubbed beyond the infield, it's four."
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Aus 197-1 (Finch 73*, Smith 105*)
This isn't the best Mohit Sharma has ever bowled, he sends down a full toss to Smith - who's bowled a few of those in his time - but the bowler gets lucky when the Australian number three can only hit it straight to Virat Kohli at cover.
"But he soon resumes his assault on the Indian bowlers, belting Mohit back over his head for four. Even when he's off balance, he's taking singles at will. The bowler goes round the wicket, but Finch channels his inner Jos Buttler, stepping across and ramping him over fine leg for four more. 16 from the over.
"Steve Smith is the first Australian to score a 100 in a World Cup semi-final. He is the fifth man overall, after Graeme Gooch, Saeed Anwar, Sourav Ganguly and Mahela Jayawardene."
"I wouldn't mind having a little wager that young Glenn Maxwell is the next man out here."
Six
Aus 187-1
Mohit Sharma has had a change of ends, banging in a slower-ball bouncer and Finch, with a horizontal bat, smashes it for six over cover. Where do India go from here?
"Great knock by Steve Smith. The pressure was on when Australia lost that wicket but he has not looked in any trouble at all. He's carried on from where he left off in the quarter-final, hitting the ball so sweetly."
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Smith 100
Aus 181-1
Smith clears his front leg and launches Shami for six over cow corner, while helping another four through fine leg to bring up his century from 89 balls. He lifts off his helmet and raises his bat in celebration - what an innings to play in a World Cup semi-final.
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Kishin Mahtani: If Finch does not get going it might be better for Australia to run him out. Reminds me of @GeoffreyBoycott - too slow batting.
Aus 171-1
Australia take the batting powerplay three overs before they're obliged to do - and India turn back to the pace of Mohammed Shami. In contrast to Rohit's fumble last over, Ravindra Jadeja pulls off a great stop at backward point which earns him a pat on the bottom from a couple of appreciative team-mates. But with only three men allowed outside the ring, when Shami strays onto the pads, Smith helps it down to fine leg for four to move to 90.
Post update
Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"Indian Twitter users seem to be putting faith in captain MS Dhoni's skill in coming up with 'out of the box' ideas as Australians are beginning to dominate the match. A hashtag called #DareToBeDhoni is trending on Twitter and fans are using it to suggest ideas to the skipper. One tweet says 'Dhoni needs to bring in the faster bowlers now. The spinners aren't working now.'"
Aus 167-1 (Finch 62*, Smith 86*)
Still blue skies at the SCG - no clouds on the horizon for the co-hosts, though there's a batting powerplay creeping up on them in the next few overs. (Though unlike England, other batting sides seem to take advantage of it). A reverse-swept two from Finch brings up the 150 partnership, while some schoolboy fielding from Rohit Sharma hands Smith some bonus runs as he lets one straight through him at point.
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Comedian Andy Zaltzman: Smith at no.3 in ODIs since October: 101, 12, 77, 102*, 40, 95, 72, 65, and 74* so far today. The way he is batting, it looks like he could hit an egg for six over mid wicket without it breaking.
Aus 161-1
Finch, less convincing than his partner, has been the subject of more lbw appeals in this tournament than anyone else (six before today) - and he survives yet another, despite the enthusiasm of the bowler, as India have no more reviews left. It looked a little high, perhaps.
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Sportsgamer: Australia to score 350 or so unless wickets start to fall.
Priyam: Australia batting us out of the match now. If we don't get a wicket, we'll be chasing 350+.
Marty McElwee: The Indian bowling attack have tried everything. Aussies having no problems. 400?
"Steve Smith has been batting like Bradman this summer. The scores he has churned out have been incredible."
Aus 160-1
The SCG DJ plays an up-tempo version of Men At Work's omnipresent "Down Under" song as Smith crashes Mohit for another four wide of mid-on - his eighth four. A single takes him to 85 from 82 balls, racing along.
"This is a beauty of a platform for Australia. They used to say you can double the score after 30 overs - I reckon nowadays with the powerplay and the fielding restrictions you can double it after 35. You're almost guaranteed 100 in the last 10 overs."
The Aussie 12th man brings a change of gloves before Ashwin skips in for his seventh over, he does wonders for India's over-rate with six rapid deliveries of off-spin which momentarily puts the brakes on - just two singles from the over. But the lack of progress in the wickets column remains a concern for India.
"This will be an interesting duel. I think it's a clever move by Dhoni - you'll see something develop because Smith, in the form that he is in, will not just stand there and let Mohit bowl to him. He could hit one to extra cover, he could hit two sixes - but at least you're making a play in the game."
Aus 153-1
And just like that, India make a change as Jadeja gets the hook and seamer Mohit Sharma returns. Steve Smith, having re-donned his dark green helmet, plays and misses at the first ball of Mohit's new spell, trying to force the ball through the off side.
But normal service is resumed as Smith, already on his best ODI score on this ground, guides him through extra cover though the sweeper picks it up and restricts him to two. A single brings the gum-chewing Finch on strike, he knocks a quick one to mid-wicket, and Smith moves to 79 by clipping a two off his legs.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"It will come as no great surprise to learn that two thirds of Steven Smith's runs have been scored on the leg side. He has been fluent, Finch staccato.
"The sight of the ball passing the outside edge is a rare one, but still draws a cheer from the ever-hopeful India fans. They have been cheering for everything, mind, even when a review of an lbw shows there was no inside edge."
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Craig Murray: 50 from 82. You can tell Finch has signed to play in England.
Aus 147-1 (Finch 54*, Smith 74*)
India are trying to rattle through these middle overs with their two front-line spinners, but I wonder if they'll need to try something different as Australia look perfectly at home here, and have even quietened the Indian fans a little. Four from the over.
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Naveed Afzal: This is fantastically poised. Finch is very lucky that Steve Smith is batting with him. He's batting for two here.
Callum Reid: Watching the cricket from Sakhalin (glamorously described as a Russian island off the Siberian coast)!
Aus 143-1
Smith tucks into Jadeja, flicking him through the leg side for four with a shot not totally dissimilar to Kevin Pietersen's "flamingo" shot off one leg.
"It will be interesting to see what Finch does now. I think that little devil on the shoulder might whisper in his ear, 'Time to to go now, Finchy'."
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Finch 50
Aus 137-1
Still hot and sunny at the SCG - and the sun shines on Aaron Finch as he knocks a single through the covers to bring up his seventh ODI fifty from 82 balls. Not the fireworks we know he can produce, but an important innings in the circumstances.
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Graham, Auckland: Fate is set, host nations to battle it out for the World Cup. You heard it here first.
Aus 135-1 (Finch 49*, Smith 67*)
Smith pushes Ashwin for a single, Finch adds a couple more off the last ball and he's on 49 - which, for those of you who note such ephemera, is also Smith's ODI shirt number.
"That was a heart-in-mouth moment for Aaron Finch, that's not what you want when you're playing yourself back in to form. I think he's doing a real good job: he's doing a holding role, a Faf du Plessis-style role, letting the other batters bat around him."
Post update
Ashwin may well have got a touch, but non-striker Finch had his bat grounded well behind the line, so the partnership continues.
Third umpire
Thanks, James. The platform Australia are building here is looking a lot more solid than the aforementioned viewing platform suspended above the SCG - you wouldn't get me up in that one... Ashwin to continue after four wicketless overs, Smith pushes one straight back into the stumps at the bowler's end and the umpire wants to see if Ashwin got a hand onto it...
Six
Aus 132-1
Steve Smith is ready to kick this innings into overdrive now. He gets deep in his crease, picks the length early from Jadeja, and slaps a perfectly serviceable delivery for a big six to cow corner. Australia are in charge at the mid-innings point, which is my cue to hand you over to Mark Mitchener.
"MS Dhoni's got to do something here and create an opportunity. He can't just let this game drift away - it's all too easy for Australia at the moment as they're picking up singles, and the odd long-hop is being taken for three or four. If these two are still batting at the 35th over, India could be chasing 320, 340 or 350."
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Ada: At this rate those people in the high seating might get scared if Maxwell comes in with five overs remaining. Helmets on.
prayags: Just came into office... boss has taken the day off... lol.
Aus 124-1 (Finch 46, Smith 59)
Steve Smith is looking so assured out there now, picking up three with a cover drive against the spin of Ashwin. This is only the second 100 partnership against India in the tournament - MS Dhoni's side desperately need a wicket here.
"There have now been 15 century partnerships for the second wicket in this World Cup. This is easily the most for any wicket. The next most is 10 for the fifth wicket."
"I like the way the Indians now cause a little bit of a stir when they're fielding. I thought umpire Kumar Dharmasena got involved too quickly the other day between Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson."
Aus 118-1
That was always an optimistic review, and it shows just worried India are by this burgeoning partnership. Finch takes it past the 100 mark with a single into the leg side.
"He's a long way down, but the technology doesn't worry about it. The Indians in the crowd like this - but it's umpire's call on impact. A fractional call, but the umpire gives that benefit of the doubt to the batsman. Well done the umpire, though there's a minor altercation between Smith and Rohit Sharma."
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Not out
You can understand India going for a review - they need a moment in this match. But the replay shows that Finch got himself outside the line of the stumps as he went to sweep, and India have lost their one and only review.
"It looked very full, which is always dangerous for a sweep, Jadeja's trying to convince his captain and they've gone for a review. But an umpire's call will go with the batsman."
Umpire review
Ravindra Jadeja has hit Aaron Finch on the pads - the decision is not out, but India want a review...
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Aus 114-1 (Finch 42, Smith 53)
Aaron Finch has struggled against spin so far, but he eventually shows signs of adjusting to the lack of pace, waiting on a short ball from Ashwin and cutting hard past point for four. Finch isn't at the top of his form - with his strike rate hovering at just over 60 - but for now, he can afford to hang in there and punish the bad ball with Smith in such fluent touch at the other end.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Our old friend the viewing platform, which first appeared in last year's Ashes, is back in operation today. It's so high above the corner of the Bradman Stand and scoreboard that you can't see it from our position in the media centre. Are the people in there actually having fun? It can't be good to have to be strapped in to your seat so you don't fall to a grisly death?"
APCopyright: AP
Aus 107-1
Jadeja keeps up the good work with another parsimonious over, yielding just two singles. India's spinners are dragging their side back in to the match.
Shirish: Run rate nearly six. Nothing in the pitch for bowlers. India must bowl well the remaining overs!
Zubair Ahmed: I drove to office in record time this morning. No traffic. It seems India's glued to TV at home watching cricket semi-final.
Aus 105-1 (run rate 5.25)
Steve Smith clearly expects this trial by spin to continue - he's dispensed with his helmet and gone for the canary-yellow cap. Examples of the best and worst of Indian fielding as slack chasing by Mohit allows Finch to pick up three behind square, before a good stop at point by Rohit saves four.
"Good work by Steve Smith, he's come out and knocked the ball around so effortlessly. India bowled too many short balls to him."
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50 for Smith
Aus 100-1
Now, can Ravindra Jadeja, the junior spinner, back up Ashwin's good work and keep a bit of pressure on Australia? The answer is yes - he coughs up two singles from a tight over.
Smith does however bring up yet another fifty - his fourth straight half-century - with a nudge into the leg side. His terrific purple patch continues. Hard to believe he batted at 8 when he came on the scene.
"Are we heading towards a 300-run total by Australia? That's the buzz at SCG as Smith and Finch consolidate. Got hold of India legend Sourav Ganguly. He says he's so tense that he can't even watch the game properly!"
BBCCopyright: BBC
Aus 98-1 (Finch 33, Smith 49)
India desperately need to build a bit of scoreboard pressure here and here is a man who knows how to do just that: off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He makes an excellent start, daring to get the ball up above the batsmen's eyeline and being rewarded with a hint of turn. Just two singles from the over.
Aus 96-1
Early days of course, but Australia will have 300 in their sights after this impressive consolidation from Smith and Finch. Finch didn't look in the best of nick early on but India have helped him back into a bit of form here - Mohit provides the latest charitable contribution with a short, wide, slow delivery which the opener tucks in to, cutting for four past point.
"I think it was good for the game the way that New Zealand went through in the other semi-final. People like the way they play the game, and the way McCullum leads them."
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Marc Potter: Listening to Aus/India cricket semi in rainy Auckland, who will we meet at MCG?
Drinks break
Aus 89-1 (Finch 28, Smith 45)
Aaron Finch has played second fiddle to Steve Smith so far in an uncharacteristically sedate innings but the opener possesses dangerous power in those meaty biceps, and he reminds India of it with a brutal drive through mid-off. Time for a drinks break and an autograph or two.
ReutersCopyright: Reuters
Post update
Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"Indian TV channels and Twitter users are remembering India's impressive win over Australia in the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup. They seem to be taking confidence from the 2011 match to keep their spirits high as Australians consolidate after Warner's wicket. But Yuvraj Singh was the hero of that match and he is missing from the team this time. Will it make any difference? It's hard to tell at the moment."
"Australia have started well - India have bowled too short to Smith, who's strong with the pull shot. Shami, Sharma and Yadav aren't quick enough on this pitch to be throwing it down halfway down on a regular basis. This isn't an Australian-style wicket - it's like an Indian wicket. I'm surprised Ashwin, who's their best spinner, hasn't been brought on yet."
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Aus 82-1
Mohit has been a real find for India in this tournament, claiming 11 wickets at a very tidy average of 22 through a deceptively dangerous brand of relentlessly changeable medium-pace. He's not offering much threat so far on this dry pitch, but he is proving hard to hit for boundaries. Five off his latest over, all in singles.
"A bit of risk involved there from Finch, they won't have seen a lot of Jadeja's bowling. But that's the modern way."
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Comedian Andy Zaltzman: He brought Kohli on in 2011 QF too. Kohli hadn't bowled in 20 ODIs then.
Aus 77-1 (partnership 62)
Virat Kohli has been hooked after one over and now we're finally going to see some spin, courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja, who is sporting a very trendy half-shaved haircut. Will we see men going to the barbers with pictures of the India left-armer and demanding 'the Jadeja'?
Smith keeps the runs flowing with a three whipped into the leg side. Australia have recovered well here from the early loss of Warner.
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Abhiram: Irrespective of the result, I hope Richard Kettleborough, the Howard Webb of cricket, does well today.
David, Spain: There's an altogether different feel about this semi-final. In Auckland, NZ won with panache and modest pride, while SA lost with emotion, but preserved considerable dignity. Aus v Ind seems to promise 'war by other means.' I really hope ill-nature doesn't bubble over.
On Twitter: After a tidy start, India's bowlers have now decided to test the middle of the pitch.
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Aus 71-1
The short ball is undoing a lot of India's early good work with the ball here. The pitch has lost its early zip and the back-of-a-length delivery is just sitting up and begging to be hit - this time it's Finch who obliges, clubbing Mohit through midwicket for four.
That last over, by the way, was Virat Kohli's first bowling appearance in 17 ODIs. Captain's hunch?
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Auckland
"When he's not at his best, as he hasn't been here, Aaron Finch has a 'heavy head', which means he plants his front foot and is forced to play across the line.
"That's in contrast to Steve Smith, who also gets across his stumps, but more deliberately. Smith's back foot moves first, meaning he has a better balance. He does leave his leg stump exposed, but, more often than not, whips the ball through the on side."
On Twitter: So why do few Aussies at the SCG? Did Indian fans shop early in anticipation? Or oz blase thinking they'd walk up and buy after Adelaide?
Aus 64-1 (Finch 14, Smith 35)
Well now, this is an interesting change - MS Dhoni has called Virat Kohli into the attack to deliver some part-time medium pace. Kohli really got under the Australians' skin during the recent Test series, but he can't trouble them with his dibbly-dobbly seam offerings - Smith seizes on a short delivery and pulls it through midwicket.
"India have bowled every team out so far - it's been a watchful start by Australia, but if they keep wickets in hand, we've seen how many runs can be scored in the last few overs."
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Austin Scaria: Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell... the danger men for India. Both love Indian bowling. Watch out for them.
Mike Johns: Incredible that in Sydney, Australia still don't seem to have the home crowd advantage!
Aus 57-1
MS Dhoni makes his first tactical move, introducing the medium-pace variety of Mohit Sharma. Mohit won't offer the batsmen as much pace to work with, and Smith is just taking a little while to get used to the slowness, having to wait for the ball to come on to the bat. Just a single from a good first over by Mohit.
"10 overs have gone and players seem calm and there are no signs of sledging. One Indian TV host just said that the 'usual intensity and sledging' between the two teams is missing. Is it the calm before the storm?"
"Suddenly, Australia have broken free of the shackles with those four fours, but it's been four poor deliveries from Yadav. I'm not sure what he's doing."
Smith hits four fours
Aus 56-1 (run rate 5.6)
Finally Steve Smith releases the pressure valve, but his heart would have been in his mouth as the ball flies uppishly off the bat but eludes the fielder at point. But the number 3 follows that with a much more authoritative stroke, fetching a short ball from outside off and pulling it with a controlled stroke through midwicket.
Now it looks like Smith has broken his bat, he's calling for a new blade here. But the change of club makes no difference to him, swatting a poor short ball from Yadav through square leg. And another one! Carbon copy, not enough bounce on the short ball from Yadav and Smith smashes it to the rope. Four boundaries in the over, suddenly that doesn't look like such a good powerplay for India.
"The only parallel with this would be a British and Irish Lions fixture against Australia in Sydney, with a sea of red shirts. I think the Aussies get a little bemused when there's as many Lions supporters as Australians. What India do have is variety in mid-innings with the spinners. We've not seen a lot of successful spin at this tournament, but India will probably bowl 20 overs of spin."
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Amrut Atre: Is it Sydney or Mumbai? Looks more like Mumbai to me.
Parm Bilkhu: It sounds like India are the home team. Great support.
Aus 40-1
These sides have seen a lot of each other over the last few months and there's a first sign of a bit of niggle as Smith pushes one back at Shami and the bowler hurls the ball aggressively at the stumps, forcing the batsman to take evasive action. Shami is offering very little loose stuff for the batsmen to capitalise on, while mixing up his line and length to good effect, and the boundaries have temporarily dried up for Australia.
"This hasn't been crash-bang-wallop. Australia have had to be watchful, and if you're a good bowler, you can still get something out of this track. There's no rain forecast, so Duckworth and Lewis can have the day off."
Aus 38-1 (Finch 10, Smith 13)
An audible 'Aw!' from Aaron Finch as a short ball from Yadav skids on lower than expected and he has to adjust his pull shot at the last minute. The India seamers are keeping this pair tied down at the moment, just four singles from another tight over.
"What's struck me about India has been the transformation since the tri-series, when they appeared to be having a bit of a break. The fielding has been excellent, they've barely dropped a catch."
"Australia have scored 180 runs at 25.71 for the first wicket in this World Cup.
"They have had only one World Cup where the first-wicket partnership averaged less than this: 149 at 24.83 in 1973."
Aus 34-1
Steve Smith squints with intense concentration - India are asking him different questions with every ball here, determined not to let him settle. He's in sublime touch but the number three does tend to shuffle a long way across his stumps, and he picks up a single by crabbily working Shami down to long leg. Another good over from India, who have just shaded this opening exchange.
Post update
Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"It seems in India only cricket is being discussed across the country. All TV channels are running special shows and live commentary and #IndvsAus is the top hashtag on Twitter. Indian fans seem very confident about their team's victory."
Text 81111
Niral: If India can bowl well and restrict them to 300 and under, I feel we have a really good chance with the out-of-nowhere run of form we have put together in this World Cup.
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Rana W U Rehman: Australia must score 350+ and then India must show why they deserve to win. Hoping for a cracker of a match.
Craig Murray: I'm at the SCG and have never experienced such a partisan cricket crowd. Odd thing is. It's all India!
Aus 32-1 (Finch 8, Smith 10)
Finch still looks a little scratchy and Umesh Yadav induces a few oohs and aahs with an outswinging yorker that just defeats the opener's groping outside edge. A very good over for India, just one off it.
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West Indies batting legend Brian Lara: Why am I so anxious so nervous looking forward to this match. Last time I felt like this I had WI colours on. #worldstage #gloriouscricket
Aus 31-1
Aaron Finch has been looking - without much success - to smash it around early on, but will the loss of his opening partner force him back into his shell a bit? The Victorian has found runs elusive in this tournament since his century against England in Australia's opening match.
He finds the rope for the first time with an uncharacteristically effortless shot, easing Shami down the ground with the full face of the bat.
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Pete Naylor: How come Shami couldn't hit these kind of lengths in the Pataudi Trophy last year? He seems more interested now it's an ODI...
Australia 21-1 (Finch 1, Smith 6)
Steve Smith is the new man - he has been in imperious form this Australian summer and his team need him to steady this innings early on here. He provides compelling evidence of his superb touch with a peachy cover drive for four.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Very, very good from Yadav, Dhoni and India. At the start of the over, Dhoni put his arm around the bowler, who had been hit for six from the last ball of his previous set. Square leg dropped back to the boundary, leaving the gap where Warner was trying to work the ball. The roar when the catch was taken was enormous, proof of who the crowd is backing."
"You get an impression of how many Indian fans there are here after that! Warner looked in great nick, unlike Finch, and I wonder whether with long leg up, he was trying to turn it fine for four - but got a leading edge and it ballooned oh-so-gently to mid-off. Early drama and terrific excitement, the SCG feels like the Wankhede Stadium at the momenet."
WICKET
Warner c Kohli b Yadav 12 (Aus 15-1)
The dangerman is back in the sheds, and India have an early breakthrough! Finch seemed to be the man under pressure early doors, but it's David Warner who perishes - he tries to work the ball to leg but the ball balloons off a leading edge and plops into the hands of a gleeful Virat Kohli at cover.
After Shami starts with a wide, Finch is hit in front, big appeal for leg before, looks close... but India opt against a review - a wise choice as the ball-tracker suggests it would have sailed just over the stumps.
But the right-hander doesn't look in the best of nick, playing and missing before opting for the safety-first option and shouldering arms to the last ball. A wide and six dots mean it's a better over for India. (And would have been a maiden prior to about 1984 when wides and no-balls were charged against the bowler for the first time).
"That was economy from Warner - it only cleared the rope by about 18 inches. It wasn't high enough - only about belly-button high. At the moment, you want to bowl to Finch, not Warner."
"If you're going to bowl short to Warner, you want to have a bit of Wahab Riaz's pace about it. That won't trouble him."
Six
Aus 14-0 (Finch 1, Warner 12)
Umesh Yadav opens up from the other end. Warner hits the first convincing shot of the day, punching a slightly overpitched delivery back down the ground for four. The outfield looks pretty brisk. Warner can be such a dangerous batsman if you don't get him early on, and he looks to be into his stride quickly here, rocking back on to the back foot and pulling Yadav into the stands at midwicket for the first six of the match.
Post update
Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"It feels like being at Mohali in 2011, when India beat Pakistan in the semi-final, again! World Cup semis and national anthems being played... These are moments you live for. Electrifying."
"Not much swing but a few nerves, a few plays and misses. Yadav will be quicker, but I don't think short balls will disturb Warner and Finch."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 2-0
Mohammed Shami's first ball draws a nervous prod from Aaron Finch and a huge roar from the massed Indian fans as it nestles in MS Dhoni's gloves. This does not feel like an away match for India. And then Shami gets one to hoop and strike Finch on the pads - big appeal, but it was definitely sliding down leg.
That brings David Warner on strike, and Shami strikes a psychological blow first up, inducing a big swing and miss from the feisty opener. Warner then collects the first runs off the bat with a single into the covers.
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David Warner and Aaron Finch are padded up and ready to go. Mohammed Shami has the new nut in his hand. The SCG crackles with anticipation. We're all set.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"It's brilliant theatre; the music, the flags, the applause. As India waited at the top of the pavilion steps to emerge for the anthems, hundreds of cameras were pointed at MS Dhoni's men. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many people with their backs turned to the field."
"When you play Australia you've got to come out of the traps sharply, so Yadav, Shami and Mohit Sharma have to hit their lengths. The three Indian seamers have been one of the factors to make the difference in this tournament."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Post update
A rousing rendition of Advance Australia Fair completes the anthems. Few signs of nerves from either side. India huddle up, it's time to get down to business...
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Rajendra Prasad: Have a feeling that Warner gets out in the first over.
Kishin Mahtani: Clash of the brats as both play against the spirit of the game. Gentleman's game so please both sides remember kids watching.
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Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne: I can't begin to tell you what an advantage that is to Australia winning the toss on this dry, rock hard pitch at the SCG! Stat: If Australia's openers Warner/Finch make 50 or more the Aussies never lose over the last three years! Finch will make plenty today...
"A big toss to win. It's a very bare pitch, the same one which was used for the quarter-final here. Semi-finals can be a bit sparky, and we know these sides have a bit of history - they don't like each other very much."
"India have the pitch they would have liked and the support they would have liked - the crowd should be 80% Indian - but they're going to have to do it the hard way because of the toss. I'd expect the Australians to get a big, big score. India will go full and straight with the new ball, and I'd expect Raina to bowl a few overs as the sixth bowler."
Advantage Australia?
India have only one win in their last 13 ODIs against Australia. Not only that, Australia are unbeaten in their last eight ODIs at Sydney, with six wins and two no results.
And Australia have won seven of the 10 World Cup meetings between these teams.
However, nine of the last 12 completed ODIs at Sydney have been won by the team batting second.
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Sportsgamer: Well, India lose the toss - they are going to have bowl like demons to keep this Aus team in reach.
"Even though Australia are the most likely of the teams remaining to win the World Cup, playing India in Sydney is about the stiffest challenge they could have been given in the semi-finals.
"Indeed, because this match will be played on a pitch that should turn and grip, you feel that India will give Australia a tougher examination than New Zealand or South Africa would have done at this stage.
"Michael Clarke's men have to cope with the pressure of a home public that expects them to win this tournament. Yes, they will be buoyed by their good record against India, but MS Dhoni's side are used to playing in these high-stakes games."
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"The SCG looks set to be blue, especially if the number of India shirts in the city centre is anything to go by. 'Aussies only buy their ticket a week before,' says TMS's Jim Maxwell. 'By then, they were all gone.'"
No backing down
Australia all-rounder James Faulkner believes India will pose a tough test for the hosts tonight.
"They've spent a fair bit of time in the country, so they've adapted well to the conditions and it's no surprise they're up against us in the semi-final as they're a very strong team," Faulkner said.
"You're going to see two very good teams going up against each other. It should be a very good spectacle. There's going to be words said and it's going to be a really tough contest. Neither team will be backing down.
"The passion the Indian fans show toward their cricket team is sensational, so we're definitely expecting that."
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Join the debate at #bbccricket
So, contrasting views from the BBC TMS pundits. But what do you reckon? Who will come out on top tonight? Has the toss changed your view?
Let us know your views throughout tonight's match by weighing in on Twitter at #bbccricket, or by texting in on 81111.
"The turning point for India was the game against South Africa. They were favourites coming in to the tournament so to beat them was big and once they had managed that you could sense the belief in the team. Parts of their game that were not going well suddenly started to come right at the right time.
"The semi-final is going to be a big game for India. Australia is the one team they have not done well against. If they have any scars from the last few months they will show in that game.
"India did well to get out of a difficult situation in the quarters against Bangladesh but it will not be so easy to do that against Australia. They will have to play a lot better."
"Against Pakistan they got roughed up by Wahab Riaz and I think they might get blown away here."
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There will be banter
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David Warner was fined after angrily confronting India during the one-day tri-seriesImage caption: David Warner was fined after angrily confronting India during the one-day tri-series
As we've mentioned, these teams are have seen a lot of each other over the past few months, and relations haven't always been cordial.
After Virat Kohli said he had "no reason to respect" Mitchell Johnson after being called a "spoilt brat" during the Test series in December, things boiled over again in January's tri-series, when David Warner clashed with Rohit Sharma, with the fiery Australian opener calling on Rohit to "speak English".
So will Australia back down this time? Er, no. Captain Michael Clarke says there's no chance of a peace treaty. "There is going to be sledging, there is going to be banter," he said. "We'll do whatever we have to do to play our best cricket."
You have been warned.
India's resurgence
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It's worth underlining just how remarkable India's turnaround at this World Cup has been.
They didn't win a single match in the Test series and triangular ODI tournament that preceded this competition. They couldn't beat Australia in five matches across all formats, and heck, things got so bad, they even lost to England. Twice!
So expectations were not exactly sky-high going into the World Cup - but since that opening match against rivals Pakistan, India have been unstoppable. They have won seven straight matches, bowling the opposition out on every single occasion, taking their winning streak in World Cup matches to 11 after their success in the 2011 tournament.
Tonight the team that have stopped the rot face the team that started it for them. Can they keep the run going?
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"This is something else, a cricketing carnival of a big-game atmosphere. The traffic around the SCG is bumper-to-bumper, so heavy that my taxi driver had to boot me out a few blocks away. One group of India fans hired a red tourist bus and were drumming away on the open-top deck on their way in."
Team line-ups
Both sides are unchanged from their victories in the quarter-finals.
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.
Umpires are Sri Lanka's Kumar Dharmasena and England's Richard Kettleborough, with South Africa's Marais Erasmus on TV replays.
Captain's view
Australia captain Michael Clarke: "The wickets looks great, runs on the board looks the best. The selectors believe this is the right XI for the conditions and if we play our best cricket, we'll have success."
India captain MS Dhoni: "I would have batted first. In a game like this, you have to bat well wherever you are in the order. Partnerships are more important than individual performance, that's been the key for us at this World Cup."
Toss
Australia have won the toss and Michael Clarke has chosen to bat first.
Hello
Welcome to our live coverage of the second Cricket World Cup semi-final, as Australia take on India. News from the toss coming up...
Not just another game
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7-1. Remember that? You can hardly have forgotten. A perfectly good Brazil side torn to pieces, inexplicably transformed into an incoherent rabble in the World Cup semi-final. That's what the pressure of trying to reach a World Cup final on home soil does to a team.
That's the opportunity in front of the Australia cricket team tonight - a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete for the game's biggest prize in their own back yard. Standing in their way are the defending champions India - an in-form side of grizzled veterans and explosive youngsters led by MS Dhoni.
Just like any other game, Michael Clarke will be telling his team in that dressing-room about now. And if it were any other game, you'd back Australia to beat India - after all, India couldn't buy a win on their recent tour Down Under.
But this is for a place in the World Cup final. In front of 48,000 people at the SCG. Let's face it, this is not just any other game.
Live Reporting
Mark Mitchener and James Gheerbrant
All times stated are UK
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Latest PostLooking to the final
So, with India bowing out - here's Stephan's match report from the SCG for you to read - we have an "Anzac Final" with co-hosts Australia and New Zealand meeting in the final at the MCG on Sunday. Should be a cracker.
As the UK clocks go forward on Sunday morning, while (like today) the game starts at 2.30pm local Melbourne time, it's an 04:30 BST start (or 03:30 GMT if you forget to change your clocks).
Test Match Special will be on air from 04:15, but we'll be coming off the long run to bring you all the build-up from around 03:30 - we hope you'll join us then.
Until then, as ever, enjoy the rest of your day. See you Sunday.
Captain's view
Australia captain Michael Clarke on Mitchell Johnson: "Mitch is Mitch. He probably hasn't had the standout tournament everybody expecting, but he's done the job for this team. I couldn't be prouder of our bowling unit.
"You've seen in the last few games that we have improved since Auckland. We don't need to talk about it any more. Myself and Boof [coach Darren Lehmann] have watched every game. We know they are at the top of their game."
Is promoting Steve Smith to number three the best call you've made?
"I thought that review was pretty good."
Captain's view
Australia captain Michael Clarke at the post-match news conference: "I think the fact that the conditions are different in the final will help us. They will be different to what New Zealand have been playing in. We will have to play our best cricket because they have been the form team.
"It doesn't matter to us who we were going to play in the final. Our priority was to get into the final. There's always that great rivalry, the fact that the two hosting nations are in the final is extremely special."
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India legend Sachin Tendulkar: Well played in the ICC World Cup Team India. A tough game today and a loss is always difficult to handle. But you have played some terrific cricket throughout and all the fans have enjoyed watching you. Congratulations to Australia for a convincing win. Steve Smith's hundred, Finch's support to him and a strong finish by Johnson made the difference.
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Al, Cambridge: I liked Shaakir's pithy contribution earlier re: the best batting sides going home to leave the best bowling sides in the final. The difference is rather that NZ and Oz not only bowl beautifully but can also virtually match SA and India with equally impressive batting, fielding and arguably better captaincy.
Post update
If you didn't see the vote earlier, we asked you at the interval whether Australia or India would win. 56.3% of you went with Australia - thanks to all of you who voted.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"I wish I knew Hindi, Dhoni is cracking jokes that have the Indian press creased up."
Captain's view
More from India captain MS Dhoni: "The World Cup doesn't belong to anyone. We took it from someone and someone will take it from us. In any international sport, you have to be at your best, otherwise the cup gets shared."
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Dhoni's cracking jokes now, poking fun at the infamously stubborn India media manager Dr Baba. "I keep telling him that if you're a popular media manager, you're doing a bad job."
He also says 'We've been here for four months, 20 days longer and we can apply for citizenship'. I'm getting an insight into how Dhoni has done the impossible job for so long - he's incredibly charismatic."
Email tms@bbc.co.uk
Nigel, Leeds: No idea how Australia have gone from cricketing also-rans a couple of years ago back to the best in the world so quickly but England are going to be humiliated by them this summer in the Ashes series. I reckon they are one decent spinner away from a virtually unbeatable side in all formats. Scary stuff.
Captain's view
India captain MS Dhoni on why he left the victory charge so late...
"It's a difficult one. Our lower order has not been able to contribute. If you start too early and lose a wicket, we might have been out for 150. Maybe we left it too late."
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Sri Lanka batsman Kumar Sangakkara: Aus too strong overall. Steve smith keeps on going. It was always tough for India unless Virat stayed in. Will be a cracker of a final.
Captain's view
More from India captain MS Dhoni at the post-match news conference: "Everybody rose up to the occasion. I'm disappointed we couldn't go to the final, but they played better cricket on the day.
"On my future? The media should do nice research on that. Take a couple of days. Whatever you decide, the truth will be the complete opposite.
"My legacy doesn't matter. What's important is to contribute to winning. I've been part of series where I haven't had to bat. It's more important for newcomers to come in and bat at five or six.
"What people think about me doesn't matter. I play for the enjoyment of the game. The day I pack my bags, I'll be happy on my bike."
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"By far the biggest collection of journalists I've seen gathered at this tournament, all waiting for MS Dhoni."
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OptaJim: 96 - Australia and England have now won the same number of World Cup matches across cricket, football and rugby union (96). Rivals.
Review of the day
We began the day with Australia winning what we all thought would be an important toss - and Aaron Finch (81) and Steve Smith (105) duly batted them into a commanding position at 197-1 after 34 overs.
While India then took regular wickets to dampen any hopes of a score of 400 or more, a late burst of 27 not out from nine balls from Mitchell Johnson helped the co-hosts post 328-7.
Shikhar Dhawan got India off to a decent start with a rapid 45, but they needed a big innings from someone - and as Rohit Sharma (34) and Ajinkya Rahane (44) both fell, the hopes rested on captain MS Dhoni.
As the run rate spiralled, Dhoni was run out for 65 with nearly 100 still needed - and with his departure, the game was up for the defending champions.
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Tom Agass: Australia are looking unbeatable. In supreme form and have the added drive of devoting a victory to the late Phil Hughes.
Gibson rejoins England as bowling coach
A bit of breaking news from the ECB - England have reappointedOttis Gibson as their fast bowling coach for the upcoming Test series against West Indies.
Gibson, you may remember, was previously in that role with England from 2007 (when he retired from playing for Durham) until 2010 (when he took over as West Indies head coach).
He replaces David Saker, bowling coach since 2010, who (it was recently revealed) will be joining Big Bash franchise Melbourne Renegades as head coach. The ECB say there has been no decision yet on Saker's long-term replacement.
So, Gibson was replaced by Saker, who has himself been replaced by... Gibson. At least for now.
Captain's view
Australia captain Michael Clarke: "I feel really excited. Smithy was exceptional once again, and I was really proud of the execution of our bowlers. Huge congratulations to MS Dhoni and his team, I think they've competed really well in this World Cup. I'm pretty sure it won't be his last World Cup, he's got a lot of cricket left in him.
"Our preparation has been outstanding, losing to New Zealand really gave us a kick up the backside. Mentally I think the guys are ready to walk into the final. New Zealand have been playing some great cricket, Brendon [McCullum] has done a great job."
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
On Sunday's final between New Zealand and Australia:
"The toss is crucial at the MCG and batting first. The teams batting first get the big score and pretty much end the game. It looks set for a good day, the weather will be fine. New Zealand and Australia are the best two teams in the tournament. I still think New Zealand will win this World Cup."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Captain's view
India captain MS Dhoni: "Overall Australia played very good cricket. Over 300 is a very big score to chase, but I thought it was just over par. I felt the fast bowlers would have done slightly better. A lot of people didn't think we would get this far in the tournament, but in the knockout stages you have to raise your game.
"Shikhar Dhawan was batting freely, he didn't need to play the big shot. It was too many for me to chase. Our lower order really needs to work hard on their batting. I'm not sure whether it will be my last World Cup."
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A nice handshake between captains Dhoni and Clarke as they wait to talk to television MC Mark Nicholas. It was a clash of the titans today - but even the most diehard Indian fan must surely concede that Australia were the better side.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I didn't get Dhoni's innings today. He never sent the message he was really going for it. He hit those two sixes from Watson but he should have done that earlier. Dhoni didn't even dive for the run-out. He almost quit."
Man of the match
More from man of the match Steve Smith on TMS: "It is nice to score a few runs. It was a good track. I was able to get myself in and build a platform for the end. Mitch Johnson was important to get us a total.
"They started quite well but never really got away from us. Once we got the first wicket we were away. We have match-winners and they were able to do there stuff today. It was a great atmosphere."
On the final: "We said we want to be playing our best cricket at the end of the tournament. I don't think we've put a full game together yet so hopefully we will do that for the final."
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Smith was outstanding today, he didn't break sweat and made the most of it. Cricket is played mostly in the mind, he's got a good cricket brain and reads the game well - he's got a couple of nice off-drives which he didn't have a year or two ago."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Nick Brett: On a day where the Indian spin bowlers went for around five an over, Australia's only spin bowler used five overs. Great credit for the pace attack, Hazlewood and Starc are ones to watch.
Andrew, Richhill: What a final we have in prospect at the MCG. The two host countries, the two pre-tournament favourites and the two form one-day teams going head-to-head for the big prize. Can't wait!
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Shaakir: The two best bowling teams are in the final, while the two best batting teams are heading home. Who said cricket is a batsman's game?
Ilyas Najib: For the first time since 1987 there's no Asian team in the World Cup final, is there a power shift in world cricket? I think so. For all the IPLs, the double centuries, the year round cricket, it's an end of an era for India.
Post update
Gerard Whateley
BBC Test Match Special
"For such a gilt-edged final, I'd think it'll be a 100,000 sell-out at the MCG and the Melbourne public will be swinging from the rafters. They're putting extra planes on from New Zealand."
Man of the match
Australia batsman Steve Smith: "We thought 330 was around par, we knew we had to bowl and field well and the boys did a great job so roll on Melbourne. It's nice to contribute to a few wins. Me and Maxy were sure that Rahane hit that ball, so we went for the review.
"It's going to be an amazing moment to play a World Cup final against New Zealand - they've played some very good cricket. I hope I have more runs in the bank - a big hundred would be nice."
Man of the match
Steve Smith is named as man of the match for his 105 from 93 balls (and an excellent run-out being the icing on the cake).
Post update
The scorecard will make it look as though this was a fairly straightforward win for the men in canary yellow - but while MS Dhoni was there, India still believed. When he was run out, their candle was extinguished under the Sydney sky.
Final scorecard
India 233 all out from 46.5 overs (target 329)
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Dhawan 45), 78-2 (Kohli 1), 91-3 (Rohit 34), 108-4 (Raina 7), 178-5 (Rahane 44), 208-6 (Jadeja 16), 231-7 (Dhoni 65), 232-8 (Ashwin 5), 232-9 (Mohit 0), 233-10 (Yadav 0)
Not out batsman: Shami 1
Bowling figures: Starc 8.5-0-28-2, Hazlewood 10-1-41-1, Johnson 10-0-50-2, Faulkner 9-0-59-3, Maxwell 5-0-18-0, Watson 4-0-29-0
Australia 328-7: Smith 105, Finch 81, Yadav 4-72, Mohit 2-75
Australia won toss
Scorecard
Post update
So, the defending champions have been unceremoniously dethroned. And the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday will feature the two co-hosts - Australia and New Zealand.
Curiously, a win for Australia in the final would make them only the second country to lift the World Cup on home soil, after India in 2011.
And if New Zealand win, they'd be the second team after Sri Lanka in 1996 to win a World Cup as co-hosts, but playing the final in another country.
Post update
Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Australia might have thought they were 20 or 30 short, but 328 has proven to be a very good score. The bowling and fielding for Australia was very good. It's a comprehensive win, a very professional performance."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Champagne moment
AUSTRALIA BEAT INDIA BY 95 RUNS TO REACH WORLD CUP FINAL
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Gerard Whateley
BBC Test Match Special
"Australia's dominance over India extends to the final day. Australia will meet New Zealand in the final in what is shaping up as one of the great days of Antipodean sport."
WICKET
Yadav b Starc 0 (Ind 233 all out)
After teasing Yadav with a couple of deliveries, Starc ends the game by shattering the big paceman's stumps. And the fireworks start erupting over Sydney...
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Gerard Whateley
BBC Test Match Special
"There was a bit of venom in that. He turned his head away from that, which is a dangerous thing to do. There is no mercy being shown by Mitchell Starc."
Ouch!
Ind 233-9
Shami, having lost two partners from successive deliveries, swipes Starc for a single to third man. Starc shows no mercy to Yadav, hitting the big paceman on the chin with a bouncer, and there's even a spot of blood via his helmet grille.
Ind 232-9
Yadav digs out a yorker to survive the hat-trick ball.
Theoretically, India need 97 from 24 balls to win. Not even hitting every ball for four would do it.
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India are heading for the gallows here. Last man Umesh Yadav lopes to the wicket. Australia bring nearly everyone up into the slips.
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Gerard Whateley
BBC Test Match Special
"James Faulkner clearly has a mind to finish it here."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
WICKET
Mohit Sharma b Faulkner 0 (Ind 232-9)
Mohit Sharma is bowled first ball! Faulkner on a hat-trick!
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The angle did him. It was probably a slightly off-pace delivery, but Ashwin gave himself a lot of room. That's another nail in the coffin."
WICKET
Ashwin b Faulkner 5 (Ind 232-8)
Ashwin can't connect with a couple of shorter deliveries from Faulkner, before missing a straight one when he gives himself room.
The game is clearly up for India, but interestingly, Faulkner is rushing back to his mark between deliveries. Do they fear an over-rate fine?
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Dhoni goes, cue the biggest exodus since Moses led his people out of Egypt. Where once was a sea of blue shirts is now swathes of empty seats."
Ind 232-7 (target 329)
Mohammed Shami is the new batsman - just the three fast bowlers to come in now - and it's as if a weight has been lifted off Australia's shoulders.
Ashwin pushes a single, and for those of you on Fantasy Island, India need 97 from 30 balls to win. All they need is to sneak AB de Villiers onto the pitch in a Mohammed Shami mask. Or Superman - the effect is much the same.
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"People are swarming out of the stadium. I reckon 20,000 people have gone in one minute."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"It looked as if Dhoni made no real effort to make his ground. If he'd dived full length he would have made it. A strange end to a strange innings - Dhoni threatened much but never delivered. That has to be curtains for India."
WICKET
Dhoni run out (Maxwell direct hit) 65 (Ind 231-7)
All over? Dhoni gone in bizarre circumstances, as he hits the ball to mid-wicket, where Glenn Maxwell has only one stump to aim at, and Dhoni seemingly slows up as he approaches the bowler's end - as if knowing he would be run out and have no chance if the throw hit. Which it did. Game over? Time for the fat lady to start warming up her vocal cords?
Ind 231-6
Mitchell Starc to bowl, with three left - will he send down overs 45, 47 and 49? Again, if Dhoni has a strategy, it may be to keep his powder dry for the lesser bowlers at the other end. India get a bonus run, and a bonus delivery, as a high, wide full toss is called a no-ball for height as it was above Ashwin's waist.
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Alice Stainer: Feeling a bit frustrated by India. Don't feel they are gunning for it enough. Somebody light their touchpaper, quick!
Ind 228-6 (target 329)
With the required rate up to 16, Dhoni seems reluctant to throw the kitchen sink at Johnson - again, three more singles mean it's five from the over. Johnson is done for the day with 2-50 from his 10.
India need 101 from 36 balls - six of which will probably come from Watson, 12 from Faulkner, and 18 from Starc.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Faulkner has two overs remaining, and India will have their eye on him. Dhoni will be thinking he might be vulnerable."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 225-6
An interesting question - when should Australia use their remaining "part-time" over? Allan Border seems to agree with the theory that you can leave it until the 50th, in the hope that India could need 28 by then - and I think I concur. Johnson will finish his spell, and India can only manage two singles off the first three balls. 104 from 39 is the target.
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Taurai Mukahlera: That's settled! Man-of-the-match, Steven Smith. Unless MSD can hit the universe's most sensational ton
Ind 223-6 (target 329)
A low full toss is bludgeoned for one. Ashwin has to look for a single to get his skipper on strike, and an uppercut to third man does so with one ball left. And a single ensures Dhoni will face the next over with 106 needed from 42 balls.
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Dhoni is the great finisher. If he's there at the end, India tend to win. The Australian fieldsmen have got to be on their toes."
Dhoni 50
Ind 220-6
Safe to say, Dhoni is going for it - bringing up his fifty by smacking Watson's first ball over cover for six! Next ball, six more over long-off!
121 needed from 48 balls has become 109 from 46. Don't go away...
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Dhoni has got to go now. He can't expect to get 25 an over from four overs - that's just ridiculous."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"Dejected India fans at the SCG feeling their batsmen are throwing away their precious wickets."
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Australia are going to sneak through one of those part-time overs - Shane Watson to bowl.
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Prayags: Those 30 odd runs by Johnson at end of innings are proving to be decisive
Kudakwashe Chitanga: It's not go big or go home time but we are fast approaching that time. Dhoni needs to erupt soon
Disco Stu: Don't go out on your knees. Have a go, if you're bowled at in the 43rd so be it
Ind 208-6 (target 329)
Ravichandran Ashwin is a man who can frustrate you with the bat at Test level by hanging around, but can he play a match-winning support act to his captain? India will need 121 runs from 48 balls.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Steve Smith has had a really good day. He only had two stumps to aim at. It's difficult to see where India go now."
WICKET
Jadeja run out (Smith direct hit) 16 (Ind 208-6)
A direct hit from man-of-the-match contender Steve Smith at backward point, and Jadeja is on his way.
Umpire review
Dhoni goes for a quick single, but Australia think they've run out Jadeja at the striker's end...
Ind 208-5
The dark destroyer returns to the attack - can India take on Mitchell Johnson? They know they'll still have two overs of part-timers Maxwell or Watson to face at some point - it'll be interesting to see when Clarke turns to them. In the meantime, they've got to get after the front-line bowlers too. The target is down to 121 from 50 balls.
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Tattz in Nottingham: Dhoni is the keyholder for a place in the final for India. If he is still there with wickets in hand with 10 overs to go, I would back India. Regardless, hoping for a close tense finish again!
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"You've got to go at every bowler now. You've got to look for the boundary option early in the over."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 204-5 (Hazlewood 10-1-41-1)
After a couple of overs without a boundary, the India fans have the chance to wave their flags again as Jadeja slashes a four through backward point. Eight from the over, Hazlewood is bowled out, but eight's not enough when the required rate is spiralling towards 14... India need 125 from 54 balls.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Clarke was going back. It's usually the fielder coming in who takes it - I think it might have been David Warner's catch. but Clarke did get two hands to it."
Dropped catch
Hazlewood back for his last over - Dhoni goes for the pull shot, skies the ball over mid-wicket and is dropped by captain Michael Clarke of all people, getting both hands to it. Turning point? David Warner was running in from the boundary, but one of them had to go for it...
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"I think Dhoni could show a bit more urgency in terms of trying to look for boundaries. It's very strange. What is he doing? Singles don't count right now."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Scorecard update
India 196-5 from 40 overs (target 329)
Batsmen: Dhoni 42 from 49 balls (3x4), Jadeja 9 from 11 (1x4)
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Dhawan 45), 78-2 (Kohli 1), 91-3 (Rohit 34), 108-4 (Raina 7), 178-5 (Rahane 44)
Bowling figures: Starc 7-0-23-1, Hazlewood 9-1-33-1, Johnson 8-0-41-2, Faulkner 7-0-55-1, Maxwell 5-0-18-0, Watson 3-0-14-0
Australia 328-7: Smith 105, Finch 81, Yadav 4-72, Mohit 2-75
Australia won toss
Scorecard
Ind 196-5 (Dhoni 42*, Jadeja 9*)
Dhoni is going to have to put the hammer down at some point - we're approaching "go big, or go home" time, but even against Faulkner, he and Jadeja can only plunder two singles each.
Strap yourselves in for the last 10 overs - India need 136 from 60 balls if they are not to relinquish their grip on the World Cup. In fact, they only need 135 to go through - as if it's a tie, India go through by virtue of a superior record in the group stage.
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Antoine V: Sad to see India bowing out without a real fight.
Louis Strong: Pretty faultless performance from the Aussies. Have a scooner fellas. Just don't play like this in summer please.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It's very important what Dhoni's doing here, rotating the strike. He's not letting Mitchell Starc settle into facing either the left-hander or the right-hander."
Ind 192-5 (target 329)
Leg byes keep the scoreboard ticking, and allow India to rotate their left-hand/right-hand combination, but they won't keep you in contention when you need more than 12 an over... Starc strays down the leg side and is helped away for four by Jadeja, that's only the second four he's conceded today. Starc has 1-23 from seven - India need 137 from 66 balls.
How's stat?
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Rahane is the first wicket India have lost in the batting powerplay in the tournament. They had scored 235 runs off 32 overs in the batting powerplay before that wicket."
Ind 183-5
So much rests on captain MS Dhoni now. Faulkner into his seventh over, but India can only add four singles to the score. They need 146 from 12 overs to stay in the tournament, with the required rate up above 12.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"When are India are up, it's carnival atmosphere. When they are down, it's a more traditional affair. That is exactly what's happening now. There are no flags, now whistles, no drums. The Aussies wait to cheer their next step on the road to the final."
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Mitchell Starc really is bowling brilliantly at this World Cup. He's bowling fast, he's getting the new ball to swing, and he's getting the old ball to reverse. It's quite an intimidating prospect."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 179-5 (target 329)
Left-hander Ravindra Jadeja is the new batsman, Starc fires one at his feet, it hits the pad and rebounds to Aaron Finch who's donned a helmet to stand at short leg and he's nearly run out first ball as Finch throws down the stumps. A single brings Dhoni on strike, but a leg glance is straight to the man at short fine leg. An excellent powerplay over - two runs, one wicket. 150 needed from 78 balls.
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Niall McCaughan: Superb review there from Australia, that's why and how technology should be used in sport.
Manny Singh Grewal: Wow, that just sums up India's batting today.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"You can clearly see that Indian fans outnumber Australian fans, because there's quite a bit of stillness and calmness in the crowd now."
WICKET
Rahane c Haddin b Starc 44 (Ind 178-5)
There's a little flicker on the snickometer. What does third umpire Mr Erasmus say? The man from South Africa says... out!
Scorecard
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"If there is anything there, it will be very faint. Backward point was adamant there was an edge."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Umpire review
Australia rotate their trio of left-arm seamers - turning back to Mitchell Starc, who's been their star bowler at this tournament. Rahane gets a hint of a faint edge to the keeper, Haddin is sure there was a touch, and the Aussies decide to use their (unused) decision review...
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Dhoni's getting a little tickle on here. We're starting to see a bit more energy in his shots. This could be a very interesting five or ten minutes."
Powerplay
Ind 177-4 (target 329)
Watson off, Faulkner on as the powerplay is signalled, Dhoni carefully steers a single to the cover sweeper, and Rahane flicks one to short fine leg. Dhoni executes a well-placed square cut for four, and a single means this stand is now worth 68. The target is 152 from 84 balls.
While it won't rain, the fact that India are about 50 behind on the Duckworth-Lewis par score gives an indication that Australia are still on top. There have already been tears from Indian fans. But while there's life, there's hope?
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"In the IPL, MS Dhoni has a knack of taking his team deeper, letting the rate get to 12 or 13 runs per over and then taking his side home. But it would be a good effort if he can do it on this stage at the SCG, against what Australia are going to throw at him."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 170-4 (Rahane 43*, Dhoni 29*)
Clarke is standing as a wide slip for Johnson, while there are some grim faces in the India dressing-room area. Just three singles and a well-run two taken as Dhoni changes his mind about taking Johnson on with a big slog, and with 159 needed from 15 overs (90 balls), it's batting powerplay o'clock...
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Nigel, Leeds: Opinion in the office this morning is India need to be within about 100 runs with 10 left to make this a contest.
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We have a change of bails between overs. Perhaps these new flashing bails run out of battery as easily as modern smartphones do?
Close!
Ind 165-4 (target 329)
Australia respond by putting fine leg back, opening up the bouncer option for Watson - Rahane gives him the charge again but can't connect. The right-hander has a big grin on his face as captain Dhoni comes down for a friendly word. Rahane executes a perfect Mahela Jayawardene-style tickle to third man for two, then skies a pull shot towards long leg... and again it falls safely, reaching Hazlewood on the bounce, to the frustration of captain Clarke.
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Rakesh Pradhan: Aussie fifth and sixth bowlers are going to have to go. India desperately need some rope clearance shenanigans.
Peter Archer: NZ won from similar position, four down when Anderson & Elliott came together. India can still do it.
Ind 161-4
Rahane comes down the wicket and smacks Watson for four over the top to bring up the fifty stand.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Dhoni is a guy whose mind is very difficult to read. You never know what he's thinking or what he's going to do, and that's what makes him so special."
Drinks break
Ind 157-4
Dhoni has to defend a short ball from the fiery Johnson, who now has 2-36 from seven overs. Meanwhile, Michael Vaughan on TMS is disappointed the SCG DJ hasn't yet played "Sweet Caroline", as Dhoni takes advantage of a drinks break to leave the field, presumably for a comfort break.
India need 172 from 17 overs - the required rate is 10.11.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Against this Australia attack, with the pace element, I just can't see how India can consistently strike a cricket ball for 179 runs off 108 balls. But India will have a go."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 156-4
Australia preserve Hazlewood's last over and call on big, bad Mitchell Johnson for another spell. And it's like 2010-11 all over again as Johnson bowls to the left (or the right, depending on your perspective), slinging a wide out of Rahane's reach before another full delivery is swiped wide of slip for four.
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Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"The most runs scored between overs 31 and 50 batting second in an ODI is 184 by Pakistan v Bangladesh at Mirpur in 2014 (Pakistan won by 3 wickets). India need 191 off the last 20 overs today."
Ind 150-4 (target 329)
Australia will know every Watson over here, is an over that needn't be bowled by Faulkner or Maxwell. Rahane, who's been a bit quiet lately, brings out the pull shot and it reaches deep mid-wicket on the first bounce as they run one. Dhoni nicks the strike as he moves to 25, one behind his partner.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The batting powerplay will have to go for 50- or 60-odd for India. Ajinkya Rahane is going to have to try and plant the bowler back over his head."
Scorecard update
India 148-4 from 31 overs (target 329)
Batsmen: Rahane 27 from 49 (no fours/sixes), Dhoni 24 from 25 (2x4)
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Dhawan 45), 78-2 (Kohli 1), 91-3 (Rohit 34), 108-4 (Raina 7)
Bowling figures: Starc 5-0-15-0, Hazlewood 9-1-33-1, Johnson 6-0-29-2, Faulkner 5-0-44-1, Maxwell 5-0-18-0, Watson 1-0-4-0
Australia 328-7: Smith 105, Finch 81, Yadav 4-72, Mohit 2-75
Australia won toss
Scorecard
Ind 148-4 (Hazlewood 9-1-33-1)
Dhoni is riding his luck a little here, another edge - this time a top edge - brings him four over the wicketkeeper's head. Hazlewood, fairly impressive today, has one over left. I suspect England fans might see him on the Ashes tour this summer.
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Vickram Grewal: As always, India have left it to Dhoni to save the game and keep us in the World Cup.
Rakesh Pradhan: This is the point where someone says nine an over is gettable in the IPL especially with MS Dhoni at the crease.
Ind 142-4
Dhoni sends umpire Dhamarsena toppling to the floor to preserve his own safety as he lashes Hazlewood over his head for four. I'm sure there are a few titters around the ground - just as there are at football whenever the referee takes a tumble.
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Harsha Bhogle
BBC Test Match Special
"Watson is not quite the sleekest automobile, so he takes a while to get going."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 138-4 (target 329)
Even the Indian fans in the crowd seem mostly becalmed as right-arm seamer Shane Watson comes on as Australia's sixth bowler - still walking back to his mark as though he's a hamstring injury waiting to happen. More medium-fast than fast-medium these days, Watson is playing at his fourth World Cup but keeps it tight, five from the over and the required rate will soon be in double figures.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I think Ajinkya Rahane has the best technique of all the Indian batsmen, including Kohli. His foot movement and alignment at the point of release are perfect."
Ind 133-4 (Rahane 23*, Dhoni 14*)
What did I just say about risk-free cricket? Australia look to turn the screw by recalling Josh Hazlewood - Dhoni swings at the young right-arm paceman, the ball flies off an edge and safely down to third man for two. But the India skipper can only collect a single off the rest of the over. he has 14 from 18 balls, Rahane has a more ponderous 23 from 44.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"This is a big ask, but you can never say never with MS Dhoni."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 130-4 (target 329)
Vic Marks mentioned on TMS earlier how this World Cup had rather eliminated the usual middle-overs tedium because of the need to take wickets - but India are in risk-free rebuilding mode here, sticking to ones and twos against Maxwell. At this stage, the Aussies were 147-1, and must be in the box seat here.
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Sukh Singh from Birmingham: Equation is simple. IF Dhoni is there until the 50th over THEN India win.
Ind 125-4 (Rahane 22*, Dhoni 7*)
Four singles from the over - Faulkner has 1-44 from five, and India still need 204 more from 23 overs.
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Jim Cooper: Australia need to push on from here and get a resounding win. That would give them the mental edge on New Zealand.
Close!
Ind 123-4
While Harsha Bhogle and Allan Border on TMS compare their official ICC ties, Faulkner begins his fifth over under the SCG floodlights, and Indian hearts are in mouths when Dhoni pulls towards deep square leg... but it bounces just in front of David Warner, sporting a pantomime villain's moustache, who comes hurtling in from the boundary.
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Team of the tournament
Jack Butcher: B McCullum (capt), M Guptill, R Sharma, K Sangakarra (wk), S Smith, AB, G Maxwell, W Riaz, R Ashwin, T Boult, M Starc.
Dan Stewart: K Sangakkara, AB de Villiers, M Guptill, S Smith, B McCullum, G Maxwell, F du Plessis, T Boult, M Starc, U Yadav, I Tahir.
Rob Cobban (possibly with his tongue in his cheek?): De Kock, Jamshed, Ballance, Jayawardene, Morgan, Ramdin, Faulkner, Broad, Kalusekara, Panyangara, Anderson.
Ind 121-4 (target 329)
Many thanks, James - the role of "finisher" is not one to be borne lightly... It's just what Australia would have wanted to be able to whistle through a few overs of Faulkner and Maxwell - clearly the lesser bowlers of their attack - while India regroup, before unleashing their fast men. Maxwell is milked for six singles - the required rate is up above eight and a half.
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Ilyas Najib: The writing is on the wall for India now, but if anyone can win if from here, it is the Indians.
Jared Maobe: The best team of #CWC15, India is headed to defeat, to the best team of knockout phase Australia.
Ind 115-4
James Faulkner continues. Rahane pinches a couple of twos to deep midwicket to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Time to hand you back to Mark Mitchener to take you through to the conclusion.
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The Indian fans in the crowd were incredible earlier. I never thought I'd see Australia play an away game at the SCG."
Jonathan Agnew adds: "It's normally like that when England play in Barbados, with more away fans than locals. I think the Barmies have saved their money for that tour rather than this one, and I think they're right to do so."
Ind 110-4 (Rahane 13, Dhoni 1)
MS Dhoni may be the finisher but India are an awful long way from the finish line here. He opens his account with a single into the covers.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Dhoni is a man who just seems ice cool and unfazed by anything. The crowd are a bit quiet now because predominantly, it's Indian."
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"329 looks a long way away - Raina's a dangerous player, he was trying to run it down to third man which is very much a one-day shot. You can't help but think think is the partnership now to get India close - MS Dhoni is very much the finisher."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
WICKET
Raina c Haddin b Faulkner 7 (Ind 108-4)
Disaster for India, just what they didn't need one of their most experienced ODI batsmen to do. The ball after whipping Faulkner for four, Suresh Raina aims an awful indeterminate poke at a rising ball outside off and Brad Haddin takes a good leaping catch.
Scorecard
Post update
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Australia have taken the most wickets between overs 11 and 20 in the tournament: 13 at 25.63. New Zealand are second with 12 at 31.41."
Ind 102-3 (Rahane 11, Raina 2)
India need to rebuild a platform here, as Glenn Maxwell tries to scoot through a few cheap overs for Australia. The boundary rope is proving hard to find at the moment for India, but Raina is off the mark with a punch into the covers.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"There were some animated words between the umpire and Mitchell Starc at the end of that over. Hopefully nothing untoward. If they keep their discipline, you'd think Australia should do it from here."
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Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"India fans dejected, already, amidst a silent SCG. Difficult to win now."
Ind 98-3
A strangled appeal as Ajinkya Rahane has a big swish across the line at a rising lifter from Mitchell Starc. Plenty of chat out in the middle as Starc throws the ball at the stumps and Rahane blocks it with his pads, then Starc is wided twice in succession as a little bit of reverse swing begins to become apparent. Raina still waiting to get off the mark.
Scorecard update
India 95-3 from 20 overs (target 329)
Batsmen: Rahane 8*, Raina 0*
Fall of wickets: 76-1 (Dhawan 45), 78-2 (Kohli 1), 91-3 (Rohit 34)
Bowling figures: Starc 4-0-12-0, Hazlewood 7-1-20-1, Johnson 6-0-29-2, Faulkner 2-0-29-0, Maxwell 1-0-1-0
Australia 328-7: Smith 105, Finch 81, Yadav 4-72, Mohit 2-75
Australia won toss
Scorecard
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Johnson gave Rohit the Andy Roberts treatment there. Slower short ball, pulled for four. Next ball, speed of light, leg bail removed. Game over?"
Ind 95-3 (run rate 4.75)
Time for the Big Show. Glenn Maxwell is into the attack. Michael Clarke will need to get 20 overs out of part-timers and all-rounders, so this will be a key facet of the game, and Maxy could have an important role to play. He begins well, conceding just a single from his first over.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Top of the stumps, I think only one bail came out. You can see how much it means to Mitchell Johnson, he ran past the batsman to the keeper and leapt in the air. If there's a flaw in Suresh Raina's batting, you know he's going to be targeted by the short ball like we used to do with him."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 94-3
Suresh Raina comes to the crease with India under the pump. Michael Clarke goes for the jugular, bringing back Mitchell Starc. He keeps Ajinkya Rahane on the back foot with four dots, before the batsman eases the pressure with two to mid-on.
WICKET
Rohit b Johnson 34 (Ind 91-3)
Got him! Mitchell Johnson is turning this match in Australia's favour. Rohit pumps him for a big six over cow corner. Bad move. You really don't want to make Mitch angry when he's in this mood. He cleans him up next ball with an absolute ripper, cross-seam, nipping back, rattling the top of the timbers. He goes absolutely bananas in celebration.
Scorecard
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Nicholas Pearson: Still feeling that with 'daddy hundred' Sharma at the crease and Dhoni to come later on that nine an over wouldn't be a problem.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"I was standing next to Josh Hazlewood in the lobby the other day and he's a tall, strong guy, it's no surprise he's done well here. He towered over me and I felt intimidated."
Ind 82-2
Hazlewood is bowling really well here, finding a consistent line and length and using his 6ft 6in frame to extract sharp bounce from the pitch. Just two from his latest over.
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Jay: Someone has taught Kohli the English way of batting. Wasting balls. getting out to Johnson, etc...
Ravi Arora: Trying not to miss a ball. breakfast burnt!
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Kevin: Let us all remember that this game would be rubbish if it was 40 overs. The 50-over game is terrific, if we'd just play a little less of it and stop changing the rules every five minutes. When the game matters then the middle overs build up the tension and that's what makes cricket the best sport in the world. Twenty20 is for morons with short attention spans and no understanding. Good luck to any side who can chase nearly 330 in a World Cup semi, especially when you live in India. Pressure does strange things to people.
Ind 80-2 (Rohit 26, Rahane 1)
Mitchell Johnson has got the blood pumping through his veins now. He tests Ajinkya Rahane first ball with a bouncer that absolutely snorts off the track and pins the batsman on the handle. Rahane does very well to fend it away for a single to get off the mark.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"That's a bit of a worry now for India, though they've got some good players to come. There's a lot of batting left in that dressing-room. Their run rate's OK and they can score eight, nine or 10 an over. Australia's spinner is not a world-recognised spinner, and India play spin brilliantly."
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WICKET
Kohli c Haddin b Johnson 1 (Ind 78-2)
Johnson wins the battle! The Australia paceman snarls in delight as he gets the wicket his team craved, a sharp bouncer hurrying Kohli into a mistimed hook that loops in the air and is safely pouched by Brad Haddin. Kohli tormented Australia in the Test series, he knocks off centuries in big run chases for fun, but today is not his day. Australia are all fired up.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Virat's one of my buddies. He's not calm in an MS Dhoni way, but he always seeks to improve and become the best player he can. To all the kids watching - it's not about how aggressively you play."
Ind 77-1
Josh Hazlewood has his tail up now. He fancies a crack at Virat Kohli, arguably the world's premier ODI batsman. He serves him an absolute jaffa first up, slightly back of a length, just outside off and eliciting a tentative push from Kohli. Perhaps chastened by that, Kohli plays out a watchful maiden from the remaining deliveries. Australia coming back well here.
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Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"This picture shows seriously Indians take their cricket! People trying to not miss a single ball even during their lunch break."
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"Virat Kohli has a wonderful chasing head on his shoulders, but this is as big as it gets. When you've got all the shots, and it's your day, you're going to just nail it. He plays 360, he plays spinners and seamers so well, and he can pick where to play his shots."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Former England wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter: Kohli the key for India - he's quality.
Former Australia opener Matthew Hayden: Oz need Kohli early, shaping up to be another great game.
Ind 77-1 (Rohit 24, Kohli 1)
Mitchell Johnson against Virat Kohli. No quarter given. Johnson ties the new batsman down with five dots, before Kohli gets off the mark with a single to third man.
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Simon Bachelor: Easy paced pitch this, India bowled 21 overs of spin at five an over, pacers went at 7.7, think Aussies are in trouble!
Craig Murray: Aussies fell apart when Smith went and haven't put themselves back together again. Crowd is going crazy.
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Rahul Dravid
Ex-India captain on BBC Test Match Special
"A big wicket for Australia, Shikhar Dhawan tried to hit it over mid-off but he hit it straight to deep point."
Ind 76-1
Virat Kohli, a man for a big run-chase, strides to the crease.
WICKET
Dhawan c Maxwell b Hazlewood 45 (Ind 76-1)
Big wicket! Big, big wicket. India were on the charge and Shikhar Dhawan was taking the game away from Australia in a raucous SCG, but young Josh Hazlewood has made the crucial breakthrough.
Dhawan steps down the track, goes to hit Hazlewood hard inside out over the covers, hits it beautifully but Glenn Maxwell is waiting at deep extra to swallow it up. Dhawan can't believe what he's done. The only man in the entire postcode and he picked him out.
Scorecard
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Rahul Dravid
Ex-India captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Shikhar Dhawan has the wood over James Faulkner at the moment. Clarke might have to bring on Shane Watson or even Glenn Maxwell to change things."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 73-0 (Rohit 21, Dhawan 45)
Faulkner is retained by Cap'n Clarke but his woes continue as he overpitches just fractionally and Dhawan creams him down the ground, making a perfectly respectable delivery into a half-volley. Dhawan is on the charge here and he follows beauty with brutality, stepping down the track and bludgeoning Faulkner over the umpire's head for another boundary. Hands-on-hips time for Michael Clarke, problems mounting for Australia.
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Team of the tournament
BBC Radio Test Match Special
On Twitter: The World Cup all-star selections... Do you agree with our panel? And can you guess whose is whose?!
The composite team was: Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Steve Smith, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Morne Morkel. 12th man: Mohammed Shami.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"This is quite curious. During all of India's games, a message will come on to the big screen at various points. Flanked by pictures of Anil Kumble and Zaheer Khan and prompted by the stadium announcer, India fans are urged to chant 'Cling on to the Cup'. No other team is given this treatment. How odd that, at an ICC event, India are given favourable treatment."
Ind 60-0
This is a big test for Mitchell Johnson. For many years he's been the go-to man for Australia, but in this World Cup he's taken a back-seat role. Now his team need him to come alive grab them a wicket again. He's striving for the toe-crunching yorker, but he's just straying a touch leg-side at the moment, allowing India to dab him for singles. Five off the over, India cooking on gas.
Scorecard update
India 55-0 from 10 overs (target 329)
Batsmen: Rohit 19, Dhawan 32
Bowling figures: Starc 3-0-9-0, Hazlewood 4-0-15-0, Johnson 2-0-12-0, Faulkner 1-0-16-0
Australia 328-7: Smith 105, Finch 81, Yadav 4-72, Mohit 2-75
Australia won toss
Scorecard
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Huge over, that. They're clearly targeting Faulkner and think they can get at him."
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Rahul Dravid
Ex-India captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It's as if they were waiting for James Faulkner to bowl. He's going to have to change something from here."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Dhawan 4-4-6
Ind 55-0 (run rate 5.5)
Michael Clarke is determined not to let the batsmen settle here - he rings the changes again, bringing in James Faulkner. The bowler commits a cardinal sin with this first delivery, overstepping the no-ball line to give away a free hit, but he partly redeems himself by restricting Rohit to a single off the free-hit ball.
That brings Dhawan to the crease and he decides he wants to knock Faulkner off his stride. He laces him past mid-off for consecutive fours, then pummels him into the stands at midwicket for a huge six! India on the attack. 16 off the over
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Shirish: Just preserve wickets. Any run rate is achievable on this flat pitch if you have wickets in hand.
Sophia Swain: Signal dropped, lost 5 Live, tutted so loudly I surprised myself. More cricket, less going to work I say!
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Rahul Dravid
Ex-India captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It'll be interesting to see how Mitchell Johnson goes. He had a beauty of a cameo with the bat today, 27 from nine balls, but hasn't looked in the best of form with the ball. I'm probably being a bit unkind to him there, but after the success he's had in the last year and a half, you'd have been expecting him to lead the attack - and the crucial overs and wickets have gone to Mitchell Starc instead."
Ind 39-0
Johnson switches his angle of attack, moving around the wicket to try and slant the ball across the bows of the left-handed Dhawan. But once again Dhawan is equal to Australia's best-laid plans, using Johnson's pace to caress the ball through point for four. Johnson switches back over the wicket: a small psychological victory for the opening batsman.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Wicketkeepers often like to leave 'room for brilliance', room between themselves and first slip so both can move without getting in each other's way. That was certainly what was going on with Haddin, it would have been a better than brilliant catch. Thing is, he dropped it, so first slip looks a bit wide."
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Rahul Dravid
Ex-India captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Australia have had a couple of opportunities already - one half chance, and a straightforward chance for a keeper of Brad Haddin's capability, so they'll be disappointed with that."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 33-0 (Rohit 18, Dhawan 12)
Hazlewood continues. India's openers rotate strike for three singles.
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Team of the tournament
Rana W U Rehman: B McCullum (C), Guptill, Sanga (wk), S Smith, AB, Maxwell, Riaz, Tahir, Starc, T Boult, M Morkel. (12: Ashwin)
Mobeen Ahmad Tahir: B McCullum(C), R Sharma, K Sangakkara(W), S Smith, AB De Villiers, G Maxwell, Dan Vettori, M Johnson, M Starc, W Riaz, T Boult.
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BBC Radio Test Match Special
"Stunning view over the famous pavilion as the sun sets for the last time at the Sydney Cricket Ground at this World Cup."
Rohit six
Ind 30-0
Michael Clarke doesn't take long to shuffle his pack - he brings on Mitchell Johnson in place of Mitchell Starc, who has been Australia's number one wicket-taking bowler in this tournament. Johnson tries to rough up Rohit with an early short ball but the batsman plays it superbly, swivelling to intercept it around his ears with the middle of the bat and depositing it into the stands for the first maximum of India's innings.
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"There was a time when someone got 329 you'd think 'we are done for so we might as well go hell for leather'. But this India side know it is attainable if you just play modern one-day cricket."
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Former England batsman Mark Butcher: Pace bowling makes cricket. It's what elevates the game as a spectacle.
Ind 24-0 (Rohit 11, Dhawan 10)
Australia are trying to push Shikhar Dhawan onto the back foot, not allowing him any width to free his hands. The opener manages to nab two off the last ball of Hazlewood's over with a push to mid-off. Steady start for India.
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"A little shimmy down the pitch from Dhawan and Haddin dived full left. He was justified going for it. He went with two hands but he might have been better going with one. It would have been a very photogenic catch and it was travelling."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Ind 20-0
Starc screams a huge appeal as he strikes Dhawan on the ankle with a tailing yorker. The Australians opt not to review, and replays show the ball was sliding down leg. The early breakthrough continues to prove tantalisingly elusive for Australia.
Ind 15-0 (Rohit 8, Dhawan 6)
Well, how costly could that miss be for Australia? Earlier in the over Dhawan had served notice of his threat by pulling Hazlewood through midwicket for four.
Dropped catch
Down! Shikhar Dhawan advances at Josh Hazlewood, trying to hit him through the off side, and gets a healthy edge behind, but the flying Brad Haddin can only push it away with his fingertips.
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Mitchell Starc looks in good rhythm again. When fast bowlers bowl really quickly it looks effortless and that is how it appears for Starc at the moment."
Ind 9-0
Starc misfires with a big full toss that Rohit doesn't really take full advantage of, only managing to flash it down to third man for a single. That aberration aside, Australia's strike bowler is on the money early on, keeping his line and length tight and extracting a hint of movement to keep the batsmen honest.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Consensus around the press box is that Rohit was out. Watson's displeasure was clear. He masticated his gum like a bulldog chewing a wasp."
Ind 7-0 (Rohit 6, Dhawan 1)
The lanky Josh Hazlewood, who had an excellent game in the quarter-finals against Pakistan, takes the new ball from the other end. Dhawan is immediately off the mark with a powerful cut shot that David Warner does well to parry at point. Rohit gets another early reprieve when Hazlewood hurries him into a mistime hook and the ball loops just beyond the desperate clutches of the retreating Brad Haddin.
Ind 4-0
Rohit rubs salt into the wounds, easing Starc through point with a beautifully-timed square drive. But Starc is getting plenty of late swing, and he draws a false stroke from Rohit again, edging one just short of Michael Clarke at third slip this time.
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Third umpire Marais Erasmus decides the ball bounced before it was scooped up by Watson's outstretched fingers. Not out, Rohit survives.
Umpire review
Well now, what's happened here? Rohit Sharma has edged one and Shane Watson thinks he might have caught it before it hit the turf. We're going upstairs...
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Right, after that entertaining debate, back to the serious business, Rohit Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan are at the crease, Mitchell Starc has the new ball, and we're ready to get under way again...
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And on that note, India are ready to begin their run chase. 329 to reach the World Cup final against New Zealand. Ready to talk you through the first part of their innings is the award-winning James Gheerbrant.
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Team of the tournament
So, the final team as selected by Aggers, Vic, Michael and Jim:
Brendon McCullum (capt), Martin Guptill, Kumar Sangakkara (wk), Steve Smith, AB de Villiers, Glenn Maxwell, Corey Anderson, Daniel Vettori, Mitchell Starc, Trent Boult, Morne Morkel. 12th man: Mohammed Shami.
I'm sure you will have different thoughts - do send them in.
Team of the tournament - number four
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"I might have been swayed by that innings today - we can have Steve Smith ahead of Mahmudullah."
Team of the tournament
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"This is the first TMS selection meeting I've had without Tuffers, and I'm missing him. He'd have picked about 27 by now."
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Team of the tournament
Gurjeet Johal: Here's my 11. Guptill, McCullum, Sangakkara, Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Dhoni, Ashwin, Johnson, Boult, Steyn, Starc.
Team of the tournament
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"We're unimpeachable as a selection panel. We're not going to be driven by a higher authority. And I've still got Mahmudullah lurking in..."
Team of the tournament
Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Shami's not in yet, so there's not one Indian in the team yet. The television rights are going out of the window. Commercially, it's not going to work. We've got to have Ashwin or Shami in!"
Team of the tournament - pace bowlers
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I've gone Shami as my third but he has travelled round the park today. I went for him for a bit of variety. He is my right-arm over option."
Team of the tournament - pace bowlers
Jim Maxwell wants Wahab Riaz as third seamer. Vic Marks goes for Morne Morkel, and Michael Vaughan picks Mohammed Shami.
Team of the tournament - pace bowlers
Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"I think we'll get the first two in quite quickly - Trent Boult and Mitchell Starc."
Team of the tournament - number eight/spinner
Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"When Ashwin hits the winning runs in three-and-a-half hours' time, he'll be in my team. I know what it's like not to spin the damn thing!"
Team of the tournament - number eight/spinner
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"If you look at this World Cup it has been all about batting. But Vettori has 15 wickets at around 18 average. And he is a real pest at the end when he comes to bat."
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Team of the tournament - number eight/spinner
Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"My slow bowler is Daniel Vettori, ahead of Imran Tahir. He's glued the game together."
Aggers agrees. Vic mentions Tahir "as he bowls more people out than Vettori", and makes a case for Ravichandran Ashwin.
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Team of the tournament - number seven
Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"I go for Corey Anderson of New Zealand. He can change the game, he's a left-hander and he bowls pretty well. I've got four left-arm bowlers."
Vic and Michael agree. Aggers has Wahab Riaz at seven - he thinks he has enough batting already - and lets them have Anderson at seven.
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Team of the tournament - number six
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I think Australia will be looking at Maxwell for Test cricket. Pick him at six or seven and let him play that free role."
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Team of the tournament - number six
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"What about Maxwell against short-pitched fast bowling? Is that an issue?"
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Team of the tournament - number six
Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"If you pick a team on the criteria like of who the opposition would least like to face, Maxwell has to be in the side."
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Team of the tournament - number six
It looks like the panel are going for Australia's Glenn Maxwell at six...
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Team of the tournament - number five
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"I've got AB de Villiers at five".
Vic and Michael concur.
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Team of the tournament - number four
Division among the selectors at number four - Vic goes for Steve Smith, Jim picks AB de Villiers, while Aggers and Michael Vaughan both go for Mahmudullah.
Other votes are coming in for Brendan Taylor and Virat Kohli among others. They'll come back to number four.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"That's fine, I'll go with those top three."
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Team of the tournament - number three
Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"We're all agreed with the openers, and I think we're agreed with number three - Kumar Sangakkara, who's going to keep wicket for us."
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Team of the tournament - openers
Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"The soundness of Brendon McCullum, with Martin Guptill. McCullum as captain. I also considered Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan and Chris Gayle."
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Stand by for the team of the tournament. Shockingly, Jim Maxwell has only gone for three Aussies. They're going for the openers first.
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"In the old days, we'd have said 'that's it, game done and dusted' but we don't any more. New Zealand got 299 in 43 overs in Auckland, although it's a different-shaped pitch - so it can be done."
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England batsman James Taylor: Vital runs at the end there by Johnson. Big chase but if any team can knock these off it's India!
Former England batsman Owais Shah: Don't think Australia have enough runs. India have the batting depth to chase this down.
Vote now
We have just published a live vote, which you can find on the top right of this page, or via the "vote" tab on mobile devices.
It's a simple one: Who will win this match? It's open for an hour or so get voting.
You can find the terms and conditions here.
Live now
BBC Radio Test Match Special
Time to keep your ears pinned back on Test Match Special - as they're going to be picking their team of the tournament.
Vic Marks, Michael Vaughan and Jim Maxwell will be joining Aggers on the selection panel - the others will be trying to stop Jim naming an all-Aussie XI - but you can send us your picks for the XI via email, text or Twitter in the usual way. We'd love to hear from you.
Player reaction
Australia centurion Steve Smith: "I think it's a good total, we're going to have to bowl and field well though. At the start, if you're offered 330, I reckon you take that nine times out of 10. It's going to be about squeezing and hopefully the bowlers can do a job for us. It's always nice getting hundreds at the SCG and hopefully the boys can back it up in the field now."
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"The first audible cries of 'Come on Aussie, come on' are a sign that the home fans think their team have done enough. The Australia hitters just kept coming - 70 runs were taken from the final six overs. It could have been much, much worse for India, but you still feel that the Aussies have too many."
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India would have bitten your hand off to be chasing 329 when Australia were cruising at 197-1 in the 35th over. They did peg the co-hosts back with regular wickets after that, but it will have to be a record-breaking run chase - no team has ever chased over 300 in a World Cup knockout game. But would you dare bet against India? Game very much on.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Australia played very well and those last three or four over have put them in a formidable position. They will have to bowl well, but I'd rather be in the Australian dressing-room."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
End-of-innings scorecard
Australia 328-7 (50 overs)
Batsmen: Haddin 7 from 7 balls, Johnson 27 from nine balls (4x4 and 1x6)
Last over: 2-1-1-4-6-1
Fall of wickets: 15-1 (Warner 12), 197-2 (Smith 105), 232-3 (Maxwell 23), 233-4 (Finch 81), 248-5 (Clarke 10), 284-6 (Faulkner 21), 298-7 (Watson 28)
Bowling figures: Shami 10-0-68-0, Yadav 9-0-72-4, Mohit Sharma 10-0-75-2, Kohli 1-0-7-0, Jadeja 10-0-56-0, Ashwin 10-0-42-1
Australia won toss
Scorecard
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Gerard Whateley
BBC Test Match Special
"It's a formidable chase, but it's not nearly as many as it looked like it might be."
Aus 328-7
He can only chop a single off the last ball, but Johnson has given Australia a bit of impetus at the end of that innings. He certainly has something to bowl at.
Six
Aus 327-7
He's seeing it like a football here - Johnson waits for a slower ball and pummels it over mid-wicket for six. He has 26 from eight balls.
Aus 321-7
To add to India's misery, Johnson lofts a four over mid-off. Two balls to go.
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Gerard Whateley
BBC Test Match Special
"Kohli is signalling that he lost it. He had three grasps at it, he almost got it under control, and it still wriggled out."
Dropped catch
Aus 317-7
Three men on the legside fence, Haddin obligingly hoists it to Virat Kohli at deep mid-wicket but is dropped by the India vice-captain who has three attempts but puts it down. Uh-oh.
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Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Only one team has chased 300 successfully in any ODI at the SCG: Australia made 334-8 v England in 2011. No team has chased 300 in a World Cup knockout game."
Aus 316-7
Sharma or Yadav to bowl? Despite Yadav's four wickets, it's Sharma. He restricts Johnson to a two and a single at the start of the over. Four balls left, Haddin on strike.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"That was a poorly executed over, in terms of the disciplines and skills which are required."
Aus 313-7
Third man comes up - and Johnson obligingly swipes it over his head for four to maintain his strike rate of 400 from his first three balls. A careful single to cover means he'll be on strike for the last over. I'd say India would settle for anything under 320...
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Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"Just took another walk outside the BBC office in Delhi and the anxious faces are now looking happy. Almost every single person here believes that India can chase any score less than 350. I was offered some sweets as well. Too early to celebrate?"
Aus 308-7
Johnson heaves his first ball for four over mid-on, that was right in the slot for the big left-hander. Another big whack, this time wide of mid-off, brings him four more despite the fielder's despairing dive.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Australia have got 300 on the board and they've got 10 balls to go but it still feels only around a par score. But in a World Cup semi-final, give me 300 runs on the board every time."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 300-7
Shami to bowl - though there's a brief delay while India work out they need another man up in the circle. Haddin toe-ends it straight to mid-off - dot ball. A more fluent strike to the same fielder and they go for a quick single, Johnson dawdles but the throw is wide. 300 up - for the first time in a World Cup semi-final.
Aus 299-7 (Haddin 5*, Johnson 0*)
Mitchell Johnson, the dark destroyer who was giving England nightmares on this ground just over a year ago, is the new batsman, but Haddin ensures he keeps the strike with a single.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Watson picked the slower ball out of the back of the hand, but he didn't quite get underneath it enough. But he's played quite nicely - he's just grabbed the momentum back Australia's way."
WICKET
Watson c Rahane b Mohit Sharma 28 (Aus 298-7)
But going for another big hit, Australia lose another wicket as Watson picks out the man at deep square leg.
Scorecard
Join the debate at #bbccricket
Jay: When you have Haddin coming in at 8, you'd expect a score of about 350 every time. India have bowled well to pull Aus back!
Louis Strong: Australia should push for 320 here. Such a great start should be rewarded with a positive score for Ozzies.
Aus 298-6
Mohit Sharma to bowl. Time for Watson to go big? Moving around his crease, he gives himself room to smack a four past cover, and chip a back-of-the-hand slower ball over square leg for two. A fierce pull sails wide of deep mid-wicket for a first-bounce four.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Haddin likes to free his hands and hit it over the off side. He's almost the reverse of Faulkner."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 288-6 (Watson 18*, Haddin 4*)
Brad Haddin the new batsman, and has to dig out a couple of yorkers before clubbing a four back past the bowler. Yadav has 4-76 from nine.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Faulkner was going for that favoured area at midwicket, and he just missed it."
WICKET
Faulkner b Yadav 21 (Aus 284-6)
Having successfully slogged Yadav for four to his favoured leg side, Faulkner aims another hack across the line and Yadav shatters his stumps. 21 from 12 balls for Faulkner, and just when Australia look to be hitting the accelerator, they get nabbed by an Indian speed camera. So to speak.
Scorecard
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I don't think Faulkner even knows there is an off side. I think he's just looking at the leg side, thinking 'That stand looks inviting'."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 279-5
Jadeja keeps it tight after that six - just two more runs added as Watson retains the strike by slapping a single to the cover sweeper.
Six
Aus 277-5
Dhoni changes his mind as Mohit Sharma marks out his run-up at the Paddington End before the ball is thrown to Jadeja for his last over. Faulkner gets down on one knee to swat a flat six over mid-wicket.
Aus 271-5
Short again from Mohammed Shami, and that's meat and drink for Faulkner who pulls a four wide of deep backward square leg. Watson, backing away, does well to dig out a yorker aimed at his feet but the bowler follows through to prevent "Watto" stealing a run. Five overs to go.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The best death bowlers in world cricket are watching the batsman right up until they release the ball. I always think as a death bowler you should aim for the batsman's right boot."
Aus 266-5
Dhoni is rotating his bowlers in one-over spells it's Shami back and Watson clubs him for three through cover before Faulkner goes for a big slog and the ball slices over the keeper for four.
How's stat?
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"The dismissal of Maxwell was the 500th catch in this World Cup. It is the first time there have been 500 catches in a World Cup. The previous most was 449 in 2003."
Aus 258-5 (Watson 13*, Faulkner 1*)
Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin frustrates Watson with three dot balls - but then after knocking a two to long-off, the Queenslander slog-sweeps a six towards the Ladies' Pavilion at cow corner. Shades of his dominant batting during the 2009 Champions Trophy. Ashwin has finished his spell with 1-42 from 10 overs.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"The shifting momentum is being felt from Manly to Mumbai. Clarke becomes the fourth Aussie to fall to the shortish ball, and the SCG sounds like the Wankhede. India are buzzing in the field, Australia stuttering with the bat. Did they go too hard, too soon? Dhoni would bite a gloved hand off for a chase of around 300."
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Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"Sheer excitement amongst India fans as Clarke departs! Electrifying!"
Aus 250-5
Big-hitting all-rounder James Faulkner is the man in at seven. The right-hander has to defend a lifter from Mohit, who comes down the track to exchange a word or two. Just two singles from a very tight over.
Text 81111
James Marshall: Australia will need 350 on this wicket. Anything short of that and it's game on for India.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Clarke is just not in great form - he's struggled with injury over the past few months. This last half an hour has gone all India's way and they're back in the contest."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
WICKET
Clarke c Rohit Sharma b Mohit Sharma 10 (Aus 248-5)
Got him! Captain Clarke tries to force the pace and pulls to wide mid-on where Rohit Sharma takes another catch. The Rohit-Mohit combo strikes.
Scorecard
Aus 248-4 (Watson 4*, Clarke 10*)
With more firepower to come - James Faulkner and Brad Haddin, for starters - Australia still have the licence to go up a gear when they think fit. Clarke guides his first four off his legs - the first boundary for four overs, since before those two wickets fell.
Jadeja, spinning the ball from hand to hand, is economical with his run up - only two or three paces - and is equally miserly with the rest of his over. Given that the "slog" overs routinely go for 10-15 these days, India will be relatively happy with these last few overs.
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Richie O'Hara Beamand: Next few overs could be crucial now, Australia had looked very comfortable but those few wickets have opened this one up...
Post update
Harsha Bhogle
BBC Test Match Special
"This is a wonderful phase for India. Australia are just re-gathering - the slog may not come until the final five overs now."
Aus 241-4
A brief "who to bowl?" conference between the India brains trust sees Yadav's last two overs kept in reserve as Mohammed Shami returns. A roar from the Indian fans greets an athletic stop from the lively Jadeja as Watson adds a single - Shami tests Clarke with a bouncer, but he doesn't have the pace of a Wahab Riaz to discombobulate the Aussie skipper. Another better over for India - just two from it.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"MS Dhoni doesn't do conventional. Remember him standing back to the left-arm spin of Jadeja during last year's Lord's Test? Now we're seeing some outrageous field settings.
"Firstly, Yadav to Clarke, five men in the ring, straight, including a man almost behind the umpire, peering around the non-striker from edge of the 30-yard circle. Then, Jadeja to Watson, only three men on the leg side, just one saving a single between long on and deep backward square."
Scorecard update
Australia 239-4 (40 overs)
Batsmen: Watson 2, Clarke 3
Fall of wickets: 15-1 (Warner 12), 197-2 (Smith 105), 232-3 (Maxwell 23), 233-4 (Finch 81)
Bowling figures: Shami 7-0-40-0, Yadav 8-0-63-3, Mohit Sharma 7-0-47-0, Kohli 1-0-7-0, Jadeja 8-0-41-0, Ashwin 9-0-34-1
Australia won toss
Scorecard
Aus 239-4 (Watson 2*, Clarke 3*)
Dhoni swaps his spinners over as slow left-armer Jadeja, his beard now bushier than much of the hair on the top of his head, returns for his eighth over. It's rebuilding time for Clarke and Watson, who help themselves to two singles apiece. Last 10 coming up.
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Zubair Ahmed: I know how wickets are falling in Sydney without watching the match live - by hearing the deafening screams of my colleagues.
Gurjeet Johal: Got him! Damage control now, must keep it to 300.
Aus 235-4 (Yadav 8-0-63-3)
Captain Michael Clarke is in at six, two lower than his place on the scorecard - fair to expect that these two will get a bit of "chin music" after the way he and Watson suffered at the hands of Pakistan's Wahab Riaz during the quarter-final.
Clarke pulls a single to bring Watson on strike for the first time - his first ball is another legside wide from Yadav. But a vital over has brought one wicket at the cost of two runs.
Post update
Rahul Dravid
Ex-India captain on BBC Test Match Special
"That's Yadav's third wicket, and two of them have been with the short ball. It just came on to Finch a bit quicker with a bit more bounce. India will feel they've got a chance if they can get a couple of tight overs in here."
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WICKET
Finch c Dhawan b Yadav 81 (Aus 233-4)
Yadav re-ties his shoelaces - and it may have done the trick as he bangs in a bouncer which Finch hits straight to short mid-wicket. Suddenly, the old "add two wickets to the score" maxim comes to mind - as from being well set, Australia have two new batsmen in, neither of whom have faced a ball, while the Indian fans are back on their feet.
Scorecard
Aus 233-3
One powerful right-handed all-rounder replaces another as Aussie captain Michael Clarke keeps himself back and sends Shane Watson out to replace Maxwell. But he'll have to wait to face a ball as Finch nicks the strike with a single.
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Rahul Dravid
Ex-India captain on BBC Test Match Special
"It's an incredibly important wicket - we know how dangerous Glenn Maxwell can be. Ashwin fired that particular ball in a lot quicker."
WICKET
Maxwell c Rahane b Ashwin 23 (Aus 232-3)
Ravichandran Ashwin returns as India turn back to spin - and does for Maxwell as the bearded right-hander obligingly lofts one down deep square leg's throat. A cameo of 23 from 14 balls for Maxwell.
Scorecard
Post update
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"It's a good job that Yadav didn't get any fingers to that shot - he would have lost them. These two batsmen are like coiled springs - they can create mayhem."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 231-2 (Finch 79*, Maxwell 23*)
Maxwell shows he can hit straight as well, with a cross-batted baseball-style blast over the bowler for four - a taller bowler like Mohammad Irfan might have risked decapitation. Only a good stop by Ajinkya Rahane at cover prevents the fourth boundary of the over. Good news for India: the powerplay is over. But will four men on the boundary be enough to stem the tide?
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"He's waiting for the short ball now, Maxwell. He knows he's going to get a lot of short stuff, so he's just lurking on the back foot - these two bowlers aren't Wahab Riaz in terms of pace."
Maxwell six
Aus 227-2
Finch survives his umpteenth lbw appeal of the tournament - it looked high again - as they scamper a leg bye. Maxwell effortlessly pulls a short ball for four between the scouts out on the legside boundary at long leg and deep square leg - and then launches one into the stratosphere over mid-wicket, landing several rows back in the stand. A poor ball, and Maxwell gave it the treatment it deserved.
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Rana W U Rehman: Thunder Storm from Maxwell coming up...
Mark Pettman: TV showing projected score using 4, 6 or 8 runs per over. Wake up boys! Should show 8, 10 and 12 rpo these days.
Aus 216-2
A rather needless referral to the third umpire as Finch pushes a quick single, a direct hit breaks the stumps at the striker's end and it goes upstairs, even though Maxwell had nearly passed the stumps by the time the wicket was down. More busy singles mean it's 10 off the over.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"As the shadows begin to creep across the SCG, we get a perfect demonstration of how difficult it is to be a bowler in an ODI. Powerplay, three men outside the ring; third man, fine leg, deep square. Shami is going to bowl short. He knows it. Finch knows it. The crowd know it and the man watching on TV in Mumbai knows it. The result? A flick to fine leg for four."
Aus 213-2
A change of ends for Mohammed Shami as India captain MS Dhoni rotates his pace triumvirate. Maxwell steps back and slashes a two over the keeper, while Finch helps another ball down the leg side for four. At times like this, captains would want at least 12 fielders, or maybe 14, to plug all those gaps.
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I think Maxwell's got a bit of a licence to take his time. He can take a look at a dozen balls or so, and then really go for broke."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 206-2 (Finch 73*, Maxwell 5*)
Yadav's radar is all over the place, another wide makes it three for the over and five for the innings - nearly a whole extra over for Australia. And the stage is set, with 15 overs left, for Maxwell - once dubbed "The Big Show" - to tee off, big time.
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Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"India are bowling too short to Australia, especially on a flat wicket. Bowlers getting exposed!"
Aus 204-2
They crossed on the catch, so it's Finch to face Yadav - who sends down two post-drinks wides, trying to test the opener with the short ball. A leg bye brings Maxwell on strike (and brings up 200), and he's off the mark with his first ball, flicking a four off his legs.
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"India have made the breakthrough, but it could be an untimely one, with Glenn Maxwell coming in. We've seen teams from this position score at least 150 or 160 in the last part of the innings."
Drinks break
As Allan Border predicted, Glenn Maxwell is the new batsman - but before he can join the action, the umpires signal for a drinks break.
WICKET
Smith c Rohit Sharma b Yadav 105 (Aus 197-2)
And just as suddenly, it's all over for Smith as he top-edges a pull shot from the recalled Umesh Yadav and is pouched at deep mid-wicket. A breathtaking innings from the new golden boy of Australian cricket. But there is plenty of firepower to come.
Scorecard
Post update
Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"It's so hard to bowl in these powerplays. Whatever you do, if you get clubbed beyond the infield, it's four."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 197-1 (Finch 73*, Smith 105*)
This isn't the best Mohit Sharma has ever bowled, he sends down a full toss to Smith - who's bowled a few of those in his time - but the bowler gets lucky when the Australian number three can only hit it straight to Virat Kohli at cover.
"But he soon resumes his assault on the Indian bowlers, belting Mohit back over his head for four. Even when he's off balance, he's taking singles at will. The bowler goes round the wicket, but Finch channels his inner Jos Buttler, stepping across and ramping him over fine leg for four more. 16 from the over.
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Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Steve Smith is the first Australian to score a 100 in a World Cup semi-final. He is the fifth man overall, after Graeme Gooch, Saeed Anwar, Sourav Ganguly and Mahela Jayawardene."
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I wouldn't mind having a little wager that young Glenn Maxwell is the next man out here."
Six
Aus 187-1
Mohit Sharma has had a change of ends, banging in a slower-ball bouncer and Finch, with a horizontal bat, smashes it for six over cover. Where do India go from here?
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Great knock by Steve Smith. The pressure was on when Australia lost that wicket but he has not looked in any trouble at all. He's carried on from where he left off in the quarter-final, hitting the ball so sweetly."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Smith 100
Aus 181-1
Smith clears his front leg and launches Shami for six over cow corner, while helping another four through fine leg to bring up his century from 89 balls. He lifts off his helmet and raises his bat in celebration - what an innings to play in a World Cup semi-final.
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Kishin Mahtani: If Finch does not get going it might be better for Australia to run him out. Reminds me of @GeoffreyBoycott - too slow batting.
Aus 171-1
Australia take the batting powerplay three overs before they're obliged to do - and India turn back to the pace of Mohammed Shami. In contrast to Rohit's fumble last over, Ravindra Jadeja pulls off a great stop at backward point which earns him a pat on the bottom from a couple of appreciative team-mates. But with only three men allowed outside the ring, when Shami strays onto the pads, Smith helps it down to fine leg for four to move to 90.
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Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"Indian Twitter users seem to be putting faith in captain MS Dhoni's skill in coming up with 'out of the box' ideas as Australians are beginning to dominate the match. A hashtag called #DareToBeDhoni is trending on Twitter and fans are using it to suggest ideas to the skipper. One tweet says 'Dhoni needs to bring in the faster bowlers now. The spinners aren't working now.'"
Aus 167-1 (Finch 62*, Smith 86*)
Still blue skies at the SCG - no clouds on the horizon for the co-hosts, though there's a batting powerplay creeping up on them in the next few overs. (Though unlike England, other batting sides seem to take advantage of it). A reverse-swept two from Finch brings up the 150 partnership, while some schoolboy fielding from Rohit Sharma hands Smith some bonus runs as he lets one straight through him at point.
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Comedian Andy Zaltzman: Smith at no.3 in ODIs since October: 101, 12, 77, 102*, 40, 95, 72, 65, and 74* so far today. The way he is batting, it looks like he could hit an egg for six over mid wicket without it breaking.
Aus 161-1
Finch, less convincing than his partner, has been the subject of more lbw appeals in this tournament than anyone else (six before today) - and he survives yet another, despite the enthusiasm of the bowler, as India have no more reviews left. It looked a little high, perhaps.
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Sportsgamer: Australia to score 350 or so unless wickets start to fall.
Priyam: Australia batting us out of the match now. If we don't get a wicket, we'll be chasing 350+.
Marty McElwee: The Indian bowling attack have tried everything. Aussies having no problems. 400?
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"Steve Smith has been batting like Bradman this summer. The scores he has churned out have been incredible."
Aus 160-1
The SCG DJ plays an up-tempo version of Men At Work's omnipresent "Down Under" song as Smith crashes Mohit for another four wide of mid-on - his eighth four. A single takes him to 85 from 82 balls, racing along.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"This is a beauty of a platform for Australia. They used to say you can double the score after 30 overs - I reckon nowadays with the powerplay and the fielding restrictions you can double it after 35. You're almost guaranteed 100 in the last 10 overs."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Scorecard update
Australia 155-1 (30 overs)
Batsmen: Finch 56*, Smith 80*
Fall of wickets: 15-1 (Warner 12)
Bowling figures: Shami 5-0-16-0, Yadav 5-0-39-1, Mohit Sharma 5-0-25-0, Kohli 1-0-7-0, Jadeja 7-0-37-0, Ashwin 7-0-26-0
Australia won toss
Scorecard
Aus 155-1 (Ashwin 7-0-26-0)
The Aussie 12th man brings a change of gloves before Ashwin skips in for his seventh over, he does wonders for India's over-rate with six rapid deliveries of off-spin which momentarily puts the brakes on - just two singles from the over. But the lack of progress in the wickets column remains a concern for India.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"This will be an interesting duel. I think it's a clever move by Dhoni - you'll see something develop because Smith, in the form that he is in, will not just stand there and let Mohit bowl to him. He could hit one to extra cover, he could hit two sixes - but at least you're making a play in the game."
Aus 153-1
And just like that, India make a change as Jadeja gets the hook and seamer Mohit Sharma returns. Steve Smith, having re-donned his dark green helmet, plays and misses at the first ball of Mohit's new spell, trying to force the ball through the off side.
But normal service is resumed as Smith, already on his best ODI score on this ground, guides him through extra cover though the sweeper picks it up and restricts him to two. A single brings the gum-chewing Finch on strike, he knocks a quick one to mid-wicket, and Smith moves to 79 by clipping a two off his legs.
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"It will come as no great surprise to learn that two thirds of Steven Smith's runs have been scored on the leg side. He has been fluent, Finch staccato.
"The sight of the ball passing the outside edge is a rare one, but still draws a cheer from the ever-hopeful India fans. They have been cheering for everything, mind, even when a review of an lbw shows there was no inside edge."
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Craig Murray: 50 from 82. You can tell Finch has signed to play in England.
Aus 147-1 (Finch 54*, Smith 74*)
India are trying to rattle through these middle overs with their two front-line spinners, but I wonder if they'll need to try something different as Australia look perfectly at home here, and have even quietened the Indian fans a little. Four from the over.
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Naveed Afzal: This is fantastically poised. Finch is very lucky that Steve Smith is batting with him. He's batting for two here.
Callum Reid: Watching the cricket from Sakhalin (glamorously described as a Russian island off the Siberian coast)!
Aus 143-1
Smith tucks into Jadeja, flicking him through the leg side for four with a shot not totally dissimilar to Kevin Pietersen's "flamingo" shot off one leg.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"It will be interesting to see what Finch does now. I think that little devil on the shoulder might whisper in his ear, 'Time to to go now, Finchy'."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Finch 50
Aus 137-1
Still hot and sunny at the SCG - and the sun shines on Aaron Finch as he knocks a single through the covers to bring up his seventh ODI fifty from 82 balls. Not the fireworks we know he can produce, but an important innings in the circumstances.
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Graham, Auckland: Fate is set, host nations to battle it out for the World Cup. You heard it here first.
Aus 135-1 (Finch 49*, Smith 67*)
Smith pushes Ashwin for a single, Finch adds a couple more off the last ball and he's on 49 - which, for those of you who note such ephemera, is also Smith's ODI shirt number.
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"That was a heart-in-mouth moment for Aaron Finch, that's not what you want when you're playing yourself back in to form. I think he's doing a real good job: he's doing a holding role, a Faf du Plessis-style role, letting the other batters bat around him."
Post update
Ashwin may well have got a touch, but non-striker Finch had his bat grounded well behind the line, so the partnership continues.
Third umpire
Thanks, James. The platform Australia are building here is looking a lot more solid than the aforementioned viewing platform suspended above the SCG - you wouldn't get me up in that one... Ashwin to continue after four wicketless overs, Smith pushes one straight back into the stumps at the bowler's end and the umpire wants to see if Ashwin got a hand onto it...
Six
Aus 132-1
Steve Smith is ready to kick this innings into overdrive now. He gets deep in his crease, picks the length early from Jadeja, and slaps a perfectly serviceable delivery for a big six to cow corner. Australia are in charge at the mid-innings point, which is my cue to hand you over to Mark Mitchener.
Post update
Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"MS Dhoni's got to do something here and create an opportunity. He can't just let this game drift away - it's all too easy for Australia at the moment as they're picking up singles, and the odd long-hop is being taken for three or four. If these two are still batting at the 35th over, India could be chasing 320, 340 or 350."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Ada: At this rate those people in the high seating might get scared if Maxwell comes in with five overs remaining. Helmets on.
prayags: Just came into office... boss has taken the day off... lol.
Aus 124-1 (Finch 46, Smith 59)
Steve Smith is looking so assured out there now, picking up three with a cover drive against the spin of Ashwin. This is only the second 100 partnership against India in the tournament - MS Dhoni's side desperately need a wicket here.
How's stat?
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"There have now been 15 century partnerships for the second wicket in this World Cup. This is easily the most for any wicket. The next most is 10 for the fifth wicket."
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Kevin Pietersen
Ex-England batsman on BBC Test Match Special
"I like the way the Indians now cause a little bit of a stir when they're fielding. I thought umpire Kumar Dharmasena got involved too quickly the other day between Wahab Riaz and Shane Watson."
Aus 118-1
That was always an optimistic review, and it shows just worried India are by this burgeoning partnership. Finch takes it past the 100 mark with a single into the leg side.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"He's a long way down, but the technology doesn't worry about it. The Indians in the crowd like this - but it's umpire's call on impact. A fractional call, but the umpire gives that benefit of the doubt to the batsman. Well done the umpire, though there's a minor altercation between Smith and Rohit Sharma."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Not out
You can understand India going for a review - they need a moment in this match. But the replay shows that Finch got himself outside the line of the stumps as he went to sweep, and India have lost their one and only review.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"It looked very full, which is always dangerous for a sweep, Jadeja's trying to convince his captain and they've gone for a review. But an umpire's call will go with the batsman."
Umpire review
Ravindra Jadeja has hit Aaron Finch on the pads - the decision is not out, but India want a review...
Aus 114-1 (Finch 42, Smith 53)
Aaron Finch has struggled against spin so far, but he eventually shows signs of adjusting to the lack of pace, waiting on a short ball from Ashwin and cutting hard past point for four. Finch isn't at the top of his form - with his strike rate hovering at just over 60 - but for now, he can afford to hang in there and punish the bad ball with Smith in such fluent touch at the other end.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Our old friend the viewing platform, which first appeared in last year's Ashes, is back in operation today. It's so high above the corner of the Bradman Stand and scoreboard that you can't see it from our position in the media centre. Are the people in there actually having fun? It can't be good to have to be strapped in to your seat so you don't fall to a grisly death?"
Aus 107-1
Jadeja keeps up the good work with another parsimonious over, yielding just two singles. India's spinners are dragging their side back in to the match.
Scorecard update
Australia 105-1 (20 overs)
Batsmen: Finch 34*, Smith 52*
Fall of wickets: 15-1 (Warner 12)
Bowling figures: Shami 5-0-16-0, Yadav 5-0-39-1, Mohit Sharma 4-0-19-0, Kohli 1-0-7-0, Jadeja 3-0-15-0, Ashwin 2-0-4-0
Australia won toss
Scorecard
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Shirish: Run rate nearly six. Nothing in the pitch for bowlers. India must bowl well the remaining overs!
Zubair Ahmed: I drove to office in record time this morning. No traffic. It seems India's glued to TV at home watching cricket semi-final.
Aus 105-1 (run rate 5.25)
Steve Smith clearly expects this trial by spin to continue - he's dispensed with his helmet and gone for the canary-yellow cap. Examples of the best and worst of Indian fielding as slack chasing by Mohit allows Finch to pick up three behind square, before a good stop at point by Rohit saves four.
How's stat?
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Steve Smith is the second Australian to reach 50 in four consecutive World Cup innings after David Boon (1987-1992)."
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Good work by Steve Smith, he's come out and knocked the ball around so effortlessly. India bowled too many short balls to him."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
50 for Smith
Aus 100-1
Now, can Ravindra Jadeja, the junior spinner, back up Ashwin's good work and keep a bit of pressure on Australia? The answer is yes - he coughs up two singles from a tight over.
Smith does however bring up yet another fifty - his fourth straight half-century - with a nudge into the leg side. His terrific purple patch continues. Hard to believe he batted at 8 when he came on the scene.
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Scyld Berry, Sunday Telegraph cricket correspondent and ex-Wisden editor: If India don't get the balls reversing or spinning soon, this will be the seventh World Cup semi-final that Australia have not lost...
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Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"Are we heading towards a 300-run total by Australia? That's the buzz at SCG as Smith and Finch consolidate. Got hold of India legend Sourav Ganguly. He says he's so tense that he can't even watch the game properly!"
Aus 98-1 (Finch 33, Smith 49)
India desperately need to build a bit of scoreboard pressure here and here is a man who knows how to do just that: off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin. He makes an excellent start, daring to get the ball up above the batsmen's eyeline and being rewarded with a hint of turn. Just two singles from the over.
Aus 96-1
Early days of course, but Australia will have 300 in their sights after this impressive consolidation from Smith and Finch. Finch didn't look in the best of nick early on but India have helped him back into a bit of form here - Mohit provides the latest charitable contribution with a short, wide, slow delivery which the opener tucks in to, cutting for four past point.
Post update
Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"I think it was good for the game the way that New Zealand went through in the other semi-final. People like the way they play the game, and the way McCullum leads them."
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Marc Potter: Listening to Aus/India cricket semi in rainy Auckland, who will we meet at MCG?
Drinks break
Aus 89-1 (Finch 28, Smith 45)
Aaron Finch has played second fiddle to Steve Smith so far in an uncharacteristically sedate innings but the opener possesses dangerous power in those meaty biceps, and he reminds India of it with a brutal drive through mid-off. Time for a drinks break and an autograph or two.
Post update
Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"Indian TV channels and Twitter users are remembering India's impressive win over Australia in the quarter-finals of the 2011 World Cup. They seem to be taking confidence from the 2011 match to keep their spirits high as Australians consolidate after Warner's wicket. But Yuvraj Singh was the hero of that match and he is missing from the team this time. Will it make any difference? It's hard to tell at the moment."
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"Australia have started well - India have bowled too short to Smith, who's strong with the pull shot. Shami, Sharma and Yadav aren't quick enough on this pitch to be throwing it down halfway down on a regular basis. This isn't an Australian-style wicket - it's like an Indian wicket. I'm surprised Ashwin, who's their best spinner, hasn't been brought on yet."
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Aus 82-1
Mohit has been a real find for India in this tournament, claiming 11 wickets at a very tidy average of 22 through a deceptively dangerous brand of relentlessly changeable medium-pace. He's not offering much threat so far on this dry pitch, but he is proving hard to hit for boundaries. Five off his latest over, all in singles.
Post update
Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"A bit of risk involved there from Finch, they won't have seen a lot of Jadeja's bowling. But that's the modern way."
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Comedian Andy Zaltzman: He brought Kohli on in 2011 QF too. Kohli hadn't bowled in 20 ODIs then.
Aus 77-1 (partnership 62)
Virat Kohli has been hooked after one over and now we're finally going to see some spin, courtesy of Ravindra Jadeja, who is sporting a very trendy half-shaved haircut. Will we see men going to the barbers with pictures of the India left-armer and demanding 'the Jadeja'?
Smith keeps the runs flowing with a three whipped into the leg side. Australia have recovered well here from the early loss of Warner.
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Abhiram: Irrespective of the result, I hope Richard Kettleborough, the Howard Webb of cricket, does well today.
David, Spain: There's an altogether different feel about this semi-final. In Auckland, NZ won with panache and modest pride, while SA lost with emotion, but preserved considerable dignity. Aus v Ind seems to promise 'war by other means.' I really hope ill-nature doesn't bubble over.
Post update
Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
On Twitter: After a tidy start, India's bowlers have now decided to test the middle of the pitch.
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 71-1
The short ball is undoing a lot of India's early good work with the ball here. The pitch has lost its early zip and the back-of-a-length delivery is just sitting up and begging to be hit - this time it's Finch who obliges, clubbing Mohit through midwicket for four.
That last over, by the way, was Virat Kohli's first bowling appearance in 17 ODIs. Captain's hunch?
Post update
Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Auckland
"When he's not at his best, as he hasn't been here, Aaron Finch has a 'heavy head', which means he plants his front foot and is forced to play across the line.
"That's in contrast to Steve Smith, who also gets across his stumps, but more deliberately. Smith's back foot moves first, meaning he has a better balance. He does leave his leg stump exposed, but, more often than not, whips the ball through the on side."
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
On Twitter: So why do few Aussies at the SCG? Did Indian fans shop early in anticipation? Or oz blase thinking they'd walk up and buy after Adelaide?
Aus 64-1 (Finch 14, Smith 35)
Well now, this is an interesting change - MS Dhoni has called Virat Kohli into the attack to deliver some part-time medium pace. Kohli really got under the Australians' skin during the recent Test series, but he can't trouble them with his dibbly-dobbly seam offerings - Smith seizes on a short delivery and pulls it through midwicket.
Post update
Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"India have bowled every team out so far - it's been a watchful start by Australia, but if they keep wickets in hand, we've seen how many runs can be scored in the last few overs."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Austin Scaria: Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell... the danger men for India. Both love Indian bowling. Watch out for them.
Mike Johns: Incredible that in Sydney, Australia still don't seem to have the home crowd advantage!
Aus 57-1
MS Dhoni makes his first tactical move, introducing the medium-pace variety of Mohit Sharma. Mohit won't offer the batsmen as much pace to work with, and Smith is just taking a little while to get used to the slowness, having to wait for the ball to come on to the bat. Just a single from a good first over by Mohit.
Scorecard update
Australia 56-1 (10 overs)
Batsmen: Finch 11*, Smith 30*
Fall of wicket: 15-1 (Warner 12)
Bowling figures: Shami 5-0-16-0, Yadav 5-0-39-1.
Australia won toss
Scorecard
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Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"10 overs have gone and players seem calm and there are no signs of sledging. One Indian TV host just said that the 'usual intensity and sledging' between the two teams is missing. Is it the calm before the storm?"
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Suddenly, Australia have broken free of the shackles with those four fours, but it's been four poor deliveries from Yadav. I'm not sure what he's doing."
Smith hits four fours
Aus 56-1 (run rate 5.6)
Finally Steve Smith releases the pressure valve, but his heart would have been in his mouth as the ball flies uppishly off the bat but eludes the fielder at point. But the number 3 follows that with a much more authoritative stroke, fetching a short ball from outside off and pulling it with a controlled stroke through midwicket.
Now it looks like Smith has broken his bat, he's calling for a new blade here. But the change of club makes no difference to him, swatting a poor short ball from Yadav through square leg. And another one! Carbon copy, not enough bounce on the short ball from Yadav and Smith smashes it to the rope. Four boundaries in the over, suddenly that doesn't look like such a good powerplay for India.
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"The only parallel with this would be a British and Irish Lions fixture against Australia in Sydney, with a sea of red shirts. I think the Aussies get a little bemused when there's as many Lions supporters as Australians. What India do have is variety in mid-innings with the spinners. We've not seen a lot of successful spin at this tournament, but India will probably bowl 20 overs of spin."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Amrut Atre: Is it Sydney or Mumbai? Looks more like Mumbai to me.
Parm Bilkhu: It sounds like India are the home team. Great support.
Aus 40-1
These sides have seen a lot of each other over the last few months and there's a first sign of a bit of niggle as Smith pushes one back at Shami and the bowler hurls the ball aggressively at the stumps, forcing the batsman to take evasive action. Shami is offering very little loose stuff for the batsmen to capitalise on, while mixing up his line and length to good effect, and the boundaries have temporarily dried up for Australia.
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Alison Mitchell
BBC Test Match Special
On Twitter: "Contender for biggest banner of the tournament?"
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Allan Border
Ex-Australia captain on BBC Test Match Special
"This hasn't been crash-bang-wallop. Australia have had to be watchful, and if you're a good bowler, you can still get something out of this track. There's no rain forecast, so Duckworth and Lewis can have the day off."
Aus 38-1 (Finch 10, Smith 13)
An audible 'Aw!' from Aaron Finch as a short ball from Yadav skids on lower than expected and he has to adjust his pull shot at the last minute. The India seamers are keeping this pair tied down at the moment, just four singles from another tight over.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"What's struck me about India has been the transformation since the tri-series, when they appeared to be having a bit of a break. The fielding has been excellent, they've barely dropped a catch."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
How's stat?
Andrew Samson
BBC Test Match Special statistician
"Australia have scored 180 runs at 25.71 for the first wicket in this World Cup.
"They have had only one World Cup where the first-wicket partnership averaged less than this: 149 at 24.83 in 1973."
Aus 34-1
Steve Smith squints with intense concentration - India are asking him different questions with every ball here, determined not to let him settle. He's in sublime touch but the number three does tend to shuffle a long way across his stumps, and he picks up a single by crabbily working Shami down to long leg. Another good over from India, who have just shaded this opening exchange.
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Vikas Pandey
BBC Monitoring
"It seems in India only cricket is being discussed across the country. All TV channels are running special shows and live commentary and #IndvsAus is the top hashtag on Twitter. Indian fans seem very confident about their team's victory."
Text 81111
Niral: If India can bowl well and restrict them to 300 and under, I feel we have a really good chance with the out-of-nowhere run of form we have put together in this World Cup.
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Rana W U Rehman: Australia must score 350+ and then India must show why they deserve to win. Hoping for a cracker of a match.
Craig Murray: I'm at the SCG and have never experienced such a partisan cricket crowd. Odd thing is. It's all India!
Aus 32-1 (Finch 8, Smith 10)
Finch still looks a little scratchy and Umesh Yadav induces a few oohs and aahs with an outswinging yorker that just defeats the opener's groping outside edge. A very good over for India, just one off it.
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West Indies batting legend Brian Lara: Why am I so anxious so nervous looking forward to this match. Last time I felt like this I had WI colours on. #worldstage #gloriouscricket
Aus 31-1
Aaron Finch has been looking - without much success - to smash it around early on, but will the loss of his opening partner force him back into his shell a bit? The Victorian has found runs elusive in this tournament since his century against England in Australia's opening match.
He finds the rope for the first time with an uncharacteristically effortless shot, easing Shami down the ground with the full face of the bat.
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Pete Naylor: How come Shami couldn't hit these kind of lengths in the Pataudi Trophy last year? He seems more interested now it's an ODI...
Australia 21-1 (Finch 1, Smith 6)
Steve Smith is the new man - he has been in imperious form this Australian summer and his team need him to steady this innings early on here. He provides compelling evidence of his superb touch with a peachy cover drive for four.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"Very, very good from Yadav, Dhoni and India. At the start of the over, Dhoni put his arm around the bowler, who had been hit for six from the last ball of his previous set. Square leg dropped back to the boundary, leaving the gap where Warner was trying to work the ball. The roar when the catch was taken was enormous, proof of who the crowd is backing."
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"You get an impression of how many Indian fans there are here after that! Warner looked in great nick, unlike Finch, and I wonder whether with long leg up, he was trying to turn it fine for four - but got a leading edge and it ballooned oh-so-gently to mid-off. Early drama and terrific excitement, the SCG feels like the Wankhede Stadium at the momenet."
WICKET
Warner c Kohli b Yadav 12 (Aus 15-1)
The dangerman is back in the sheds, and India have an early breakthrough! Finch seemed to be the man under pressure early doors, but it's David Warner who perishes - he tries to work the ball to leg but the ball balloons off a leading edge and plops into the hands of a gleeful Virat Kohli at cover.
Scorecard
Aus 15-0
After Shami starts with a wide, Finch is hit in front, big appeal for leg before, looks close... but India opt against a review - a wise choice as the ball-tracker suggests it would have sailed just over the stumps.
But the right-hander doesn't look in the best of nick, playing and missing before opting for the safety-first option and shouldering arms to the last ball. A wide and six dots mean it's a better over for India. (And would have been a maiden prior to about 1984 when wides and no-balls were charged against the bowler for the first time).
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"That was economy from Warner - it only cleared the rope by about 18 inches. It wasn't high enough - only about belly-button high. At the moment, you want to bowl to Finch, not Warner."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Jim Maxwell
BBC Test Match Special
"If you're going to bowl short to Warner, you want to have a bit of Wahab Riaz's pace about it. That won't trouble him."
Six
Aus 14-0 (Finch 1, Warner 12)
Umesh Yadav opens up from the other end. Warner hits the first convincing shot of the day, punching a slightly overpitched delivery back down the ground for four. The outfield looks pretty brisk. Warner can be such a dangerous batsman if you don't get him early on, and he looks to be into his stride quickly here, rocking back on to the back foot and pulling Yadav into the stands at midwicket for the first six of the match.
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Nitin Srivastava
BBC Hindi in Sydney
"It feels like being at Mohali in 2011, when India beat Pakistan in the semi-final, again! World Cup semis and national anthems being played... These are moments you live for. Electrifying."
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Vic Marks
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"Not much swing but a few nerves, a few plays and misses. Yadav will be quicker, but I don't think short balls will disturb Warner and Finch."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
Aus 2-0
Mohammed Shami's first ball draws a nervous prod from Aaron Finch and a huge roar from the massed Indian fans as it nestles in MS Dhoni's gloves. This does not feel like an away match for India. And then Shami gets one to hoop and strike Finch on the pads - big appeal, but it was definitely sliding down leg.
That brings David Warner on strike, and Shami strikes a psychological blow first up, inducing a big swing and miss from the feisty opener. Warner then collects the first runs off the bat with a single into the covers.
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David Warner and Aaron Finch are padded up and ready to go. Mohammed Shami has the new nut in his hand. The SCG crackles with anticipation. We're all set.
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"It's brilliant theatre; the music, the flags, the applause. As India waited at the top of the pavilion steps to emerge for the anthems, hundreds of cameras were pointed at MS Dhoni's men. I'm not sure I've ever seen so many people with their backs turned to the field."
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"When you play Australia you've got to come out of the traps sharply, so Yadav, Shami and Mohit Sharma have to hit their lengths. The three Indian seamers have been one of the factors to make the difference in this tournament."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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A rousing rendition of Advance Australia Fair completes the anthems. Few signs of nerves from either side. India huddle up, it's time to get down to business...
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Rajendra Prasad: Have a feeling that Warner gets out in the first over.
Kishin Mahtani: Clash of the brats as both play against the spirit of the game. Gentleman's game so please both sides remember kids watching.
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Former Australia leg-spinner Shane Warne: I can't begin to tell you what an advantage that is to Australia winning the toss on this dry, rock hard pitch at the SCG! Stat: If Australia's openers Warner/Finch make 50 or more the Aussies never lose over the last three years! Finch will make plenty today...
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"A big toss to win. It's a very bare pitch, the same one which was used for the quarter-final here. Semi-finals can be a bit sparky, and we know these sides have a bit of history - they don't like each other very much."
Listen to TMS commentary via the audio icon.
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Michael Vaughan
Ex-England captain on BBC Test Match Special
"India have the pitch they would have liked and the support they would have liked - the crowd should be 80% Indian - but they're going to have to do it the hard way because of the toss. I'd expect the Australians to get a big, big score. India will go full and straight with the new ball, and I'd expect Raina to bowl a few overs as the sixth bowler."
Advantage Australia?
India have only one win in their last 13 ODIs against Australia. Not only that, Australia are unbeaten in their last eight ODIs at Sydney, with six wins and two no results.
And Australia have won seven of the 10 World Cup meetings between these teams.
However, nine of the last 12 completed ODIs at Sydney have been won by the team batting second.
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Sportsgamer: Well, India lose the toss - they are going to have bowl like demons to keep this Aus team in reach.
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Jonathan Agnew
BBC Test Match Special
"Even though Australia are the most likely of the teams remaining to win the World Cup, playing India in Sydney is about the stiffest challenge they could have been given in the semi-finals.
"Indeed, because this match will be played on a pitch that should turn and grip, you feel that India will give Australia a tougher examination than New Zealand or South Africa would have done at this stage.
"Michael Clarke's men have to cope with the pressure of a home public that expects them to win this tournament. Yes, they will be buoyed by their good record against India, but MS Dhoni's side are used to playing in these high-stakes games."
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"The SCG looks set to be blue, especially if the number of India shirts in the city centre is anything to go by. 'Aussies only buy their ticket a week before,' says TMS's Jim Maxwell. 'By then, they were all gone.'"
No backing down
Australia all-rounder James Faulkner believes India will pose a tough test for the hosts tonight.
"They've spent a fair bit of time in the country, so they've adapted well to the conditions and it's no surprise they're up against us in the semi-final as they're a very strong team," Faulkner said.
"You're going to see two very good teams going up against each other. It should be a very good spectacle. There's going to be words said and it's going to be a really tough contest. Neither team will be backing down.
"The passion the Indian fans show toward their cricket team is sensational, so we're definitely expecting that."
Join the debate at #bbccricket
So, contrasting views from the BBC TMS pundits. But what do you reckon? Who will come out on top tonight? Has the toss changed your view?
Let us know your views throughout tonight's match by weighing in on Twitter at #bbccricket, or by texting in on 81111.
'India have to play a lot better'
Rahul Dravid
Ex-India captain on BBC Test Match Special
"The turning point for India was the game against South Africa. They were favourites coming in to the tournament so to beat them was big and once they had managed that you could sense the belief in the team. Parts of their game that were not going well suddenly started to come right at the right time.
"The semi-final is going to be a big game for India. Australia is the one team they have not done well against. If they have any scars from the last few months they will show in that game.
"India did well to get out of a difficult situation in the quarters against Bangladesh but it will not be so easy to do that against Australia. They will have to play a lot better."
'I think Australia might get blown away here'
Graeme Swann
Ex-England spinner on BBC Test Match Special
"India have to be the favourites. They are the form team of this World Cup and Australia have shown a few chinks of weakness.
"Against Pakistan they got roughed up by Wahab Riaz and I think they might get blown away here."
There will be banter
As we've mentioned, these teams are have seen a lot of each other over the past few months, and relations haven't always been cordial.
After Virat Kohli said he had "no reason to respect" Mitchell Johnson after being called a "spoilt brat" during the Test series in December, things boiled over again in January's tri-series, when David Warner clashed with Rohit Sharma, with the fiery Australian opener calling on Rohit to "speak English".
So will Australia back down this time? Er, no. Captain Michael Clarke says there's no chance of a peace treaty. "There is going to be sledging, there is going to be banter," he said. "We'll do whatever we have to do to play our best cricket."
You have been warned.
India's resurgence
It's worth underlining just how remarkable India's turnaround at this World Cup has been.
They didn't win a single match in the Test series and triangular ODI tournament that preceded this competition. They couldn't beat Australia in five matches across all formats, and heck, things got so bad, they even lost to England. Twice!
So expectations were not exactly sky-high going into the World Cup - but since that opening match against rivals Pakistan, India have been unstoppable. They have won seven straight matches, bowling the opposition out on every single occasion, taking their winning streak in World Cup matches to 11 after their success in the 2011 tournament.
Tonight the team that have stopped the rot face the team that started it for them. Can they keep the run going?
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Stephan Shemilt
BBC Sport in Sydney
"This is something else, a cricketing carnival of a big-game atmosphere. The traffic around the SCG is bumper-to-bumper, so heavy that my taxi driver had to boot me out a few blocks away. One group of India fans hired a red tourist bus and were drumming away on the open-top deck on their way in."
Team line-ups
Both sides are unchanged from their victories in the quarter-finals.
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Michael Clarke (capt), Shane Watson, Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.
India: Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Suresh Raina, MS Dhoni (capt & wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav.
Umpires are Sri Lanka's Kumar Dharmasena and England's Richard Kettleborough, with South Africa's Marais Erasmus on TV replays.
Captain's view
Australia captain Michael Clarke: "The wickets looks great, runs on the board looks the best. The selectors believe this is the right XI for the conditions and if we play our best cricket, we'll have success."
India captain MS Dhoni: "I would have batted first. In a game like this, you have to bat well wherever you are in the order. Partnerships are more important than individual performance, that's been the key for us at this World Cup."
Toss
Australia have won the toss and Michael Clarke has chosen to bat first.
Hello
Welcome to our live coverage of the second Cricket World Cup semi-final, as Australia take on India. News from the toss coming up...
Not just another game
7-1. Remember that? You can hardly have forgotten. A perfectly good Brazil side torn to pieces, inexplicably transformed into an incoherent rabble in the World Cup semi-final. That's what the pressure of trying to reach a World Cup final on home soil does to a team.
That's the opportunity in front of the Australia cricket team tonight - a once-in-a-lifetime chance to compete for the game's biggest prize in their own back yard. Standing in their way are the defending champions India - an in-form side of grizzled veterans and explosive youngsters led by MS Dhoni.
Just like any other game, Michael Clarke will be telling his team in that dressing-room about now. And if it were any other game, you'd back Australia to beat India - after all, India couldn't buy a win on their recent tour Down Under.
But this is for a place in the World Cup final. In front of 48,000 people at the SCG. Let's face it, this is not just any other game.