Former Australia fast bowler Brett Lee believes the balance of the hosts’ side will see them defeat defending champions India in the semi-final.

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“I honestly think that Australia will win on Thursday, I think they’ve got the right balance in the team,” said Lee yesterday at an ICC World Cup event in Sydney.

“With David Warner and Aaron Finch at the top, Steven Smith’s slotted in beautifully at number three, Michael Clarke at four, Shane Watson at five, I think that’s a really good balance for the side, whichever way they want to go with the quicks. 

“Josh Hazlewood did extremely well with his four for 35 off his 10 overs (against Pakistan in the quarter-final in Adelaide), Pat Cummins, who might get his opportunity, is bowling well too.

“Australia’s spoilt for choice. They’ve got the experience, and the youth coming through. I reckon they’ve got a really well-balanced team.”

India’s pace attack of Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma has, to the surprise of some pundits, been one of the keys to their run to the last four.

Shami is one of the tournament’s leading bowlers with 17 wickets and Lee said: “He’s been really impressive. I’ve played a fair bit of cricket with Shami over the last couple of years, he’s a wonderful guy and goes in hard.

“Yadav is the other player that bowls good pace. They’ve got a three-pronged pace attack who can all bowl quick, who can all bowl up to 145 kmph. If they land the ball in