Smith spanks the winning boundary down the ground, with Marsh left unbeaten on an imposing 177, as Australia prevail by eight wickets with 32 balls to spare.
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That makes it wins seven out of seven for Australia entering their semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata on Thursday. India will face New Zealand in Mumbai on Wednesday, ahead of the final in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
Steve Smith hits out in Pune.Credit: Getty
Marsh’s 177 means that he and Maxwell (201 not out) have the two highest scores made at this World Cup in Australia’s past two matches.
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“I’m sure my nanna and mum and family will all be watching at home and I hope that’s put a smile on their faces,” Marsh says after going home in mid-tournament to farewell his grandfather.
As well as Marsh, Smith and Warner played after a couple of excellent spells by Zampa and Hazlewood, Australia will still feel like they have plenty of improvement left for the knockouts.
In particular, the pace bowling up front with the new ball has lacked enough wicket-taking power – ironically apart from the opening game in Chennai, where India were three down quickly before recovering to win comfortably.
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Starc, who missed this game, will be especially eager to put in a better performance at Eden Gardens, the scene of Australia’s 1987 World Cup final win over England.
AUSTRALIA win by eight wickets
