The Carlton Mid Tri Series is set to host a virtual semi-final between India and England at Perth on Friday. The world's quickest and bounciest pitch at WACA will surely result in a 'hot' battle between the two sides. Following the washout at Sydney, India and Australia shared match points which put India (2 points) closer to England (5 points) on the points table. Now, the winner at Perth will advance into the final of the tri-series to meet Australia, who’ve topped the table with 15 points. The stakes, as they say, could not have been higher.
Weather forecast for Perth on Friday points towards extremely hot conditions. The maximum temperature is expected to remain around 37°C while the minimum will stay around 23°C. There’s a low possibility of thunderstorm with 30% chances of rain. An average wind speed of 15kmph will be observed throughout the day. Humidity levels will remain at a comfortable 25%. Overall, only a short delay (if any) is expected during the game at Perth.
India will be battling injuries and fatigue factor will surely come into play for the men in blue. Rohit Sharma has already been ruled out due to a hamstring injury whereas the likes of Jadeja and Ishant may not be included in the Playing XI despite being declared fit for selection. Dhoni has already declared that players experiencing ‘niggles’ will not be pushed to play. Another interesting experimental idea has emerged in the form of playing Ravichandran Ashwin as an opener. Ashwin packs technique and perseverance to survive at the top of the order and his role as an opener will be crucial in providing depth to the batting unit. Stuart Binny has already proven his mettle as a reliable all-rounder and Ashwin’s success will only prove as an icing on the cake.
Meanwhile, England have welcomed the idea of a do or die encounter ahead of the ICC World Cup 2015. The Eoin Morgan led side thrashed India earlier in the series and have looked good since then despite losing a close encounter against Australia. Given the circumstances, England will also look to capitalize ahead of the mega event which is set to be played in Australia next month. Overall, a riveting contest awaits us as both sides will enter the contest at WACA with all guns blazing. Skymet will keep you updated on cricket, weather, and more as the Carlton Mid Tri Series unfolds.
