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Hosts Australia take on India at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday James Faulkner won't be surprised if there's some verbal exchanges Australia all-rounder also notsurprisedthat India have re-found their form Defending World Cup champions India have won seven games in a row

By Associated Press Reporter

Published: 04:46 EST, 23 March 2015 | Updated: 07:38 EST, 23 March 2015

The Australia and India squads have had ample time in the past four months to work each other out, ensuring a level of tension for their World Cup semi-final expected to go well beyond the usual for a knockout game.

Australia all-rounder James Faulkner won't be surprised if there's some niggle and verbal exchanges, just like he's not surprised that defending champion India shook off their poor form leading into the World Cup to win seven consecutive matches.

'They've spent a fair bit of time in the country, so they've adapted well to the conditions,' Faulkner told a news conference Monday. 'It's no surprise they're up against us in the semi-final, they're a very strong team.

Australian cricketer James Faulkner fields a ball off his own bowling at the Bellerive Oval during the World Cup

Australian Faulkner bowls during the 2015 Cricket World Cup match against Scotland at the Bellerive Oval

'You're going to see two very good teams going up against each other - it should be a very good spectacle.'

Australia have won the Cricket World Cup four times and reached the final on two other occasions, but never on home soil.

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Australia all-rounder James Faulkner expecting tense semi-final battle against defending World Cup champions India