Oz post daunting 329-run target for defenders India in WC semis

Australia posted a challenging target of 329 for reigning champions India in the high-octane World Cup semifinal clash at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday, thanks to Steven Smith's 105 and Aaron Finch's 81.

Australia recovered from a shaky start after the dismissal of explosive batsman David Warner off Umesh Yadav's delivery cheaply for 12 runs.

Smith and Finch steadily built the innings as the duo piled up 182 runs for the second wicket, with the former hitting his first century of the World Cup.

However, India staged a stout fightback as Australia lost a string of wickets in quick succession following the dismissal of Smith.

Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for India as he captured the wickets of Warner, Smith, Finch and James Faulkner (21), while Mohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin provided the substantial support to the bowling unit.

Skipper Michael Clarke's 10 and a couple of twenties from Shane Watson (28) and Glenn Maxwell (23), combined with Mitchell Johnson's unbeaten brisk knock of 27 runs off 7 balls helped Australia to set up the highest score in the history of World Cup semifinal history.