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[aryan]

As Australia prepare to take on England in the first semi-final in Centurion, captain Ricky Ponting said he hoped a better pitch would be used for the match on Friday. “There may be a fresh pitch for the semi-final and then that would last for the final too. All the batsmen will be hoping for a fresh pitch,” he said.
Ponting was critical of the Centurion pitch after his team’s title defence almost ended against Pakistan on Wednesday. “We snuck across the line and we’re where we want to be, in the semi-finals,” Ponting said. “I never thought it would get that close when we were 138 for two with 20 overs left. But then I got out and it was not an easy pitch. If you lost a wicket, then it was really hard for the incoming batsman.”

Ponting said Australia had a psychological edge over England, having beaten them 6-1 in the ODI series earlier. “We’ve played a lot against them in the last month and we know their strengths and weaknesses. Hopefully, we’ll be able to exploit that,” Ponting said.

David Hussey in for Clarke

Meanwhile, David Hussey will replace Australia vice captain Michael Clarke, who has been ruled out of the remaining tournament due to a back injury. Hussey is expected to join the team before Friday’s semi-final.

England, on the other hand, are sweating over the fitness of Stuart Broad. The fast bowler is doubtful for tomorrow’s game due to a buttock injury. Broad complained of tightness following England’s four-wicket loss to New Zealand on Tuesday. "He's got a little tear in one of the muscles in his buttock and we are going to give him a little bit more time to see if he's going to be fit," England coach Andy Flower said.