Cricket-Australia win toss, bat in World Cup semi-final

(Reuters) - Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and chose to bat first in their World Cup semi-final against India at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday. Both sides were unchanged for the contest to decide who meets the other co-hosts New Zealand in Sunday's final at Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match pits four-times champions Australia, the top-ranked team in one-day cricket, against title holders India, the sport's dominant financial power. The ground was bathed in sunshine under blue skies at the toss and early indications are, as has been predicted, Indian fans will outnumber locals in the capacity crowd. Australia were unchanged for the first time in the tournament after deciding to retain a third specialist pace bowler in Josh Hazlewood, who took 4-35 in the six-wicket quarter-final victory over Pakistan. Despite the SCG's reputation for offering some turn for the slow bowlers, the Australian selectors decided against bringing in specialist spinner Xavier Doherty. "I think the wicket looks great. I think it will be pretty good for both innings, runs on the board is the reason why we have gone for batting first," said Clarke, adding that Hazlewood's selection was the right one.