Michael Clarke insists Australia will handle the pressure of expectations when they take on India in the ICC Cricket World Cup Semi-Final.

The 33-year-old believes his team have become accustomed to high expectations and will prepare in the same way for tomorrow's match, which gets underway at 3.30am UK time, as for any other game.

"I think the boys will be fine," Clarke said.

"I think you've seen the guys handle it really well throughout the tournament. The way the boys played in the Quarter-Final against Pakistan was really pleasing.

"Expectation is here because we are the number one ranked team in the world. The expectation is put on you because you have performed.

"Individually, you feel that on a day-to-day basis as an international sportsman. There's been a lot of talk about pressure and expectation but that comes with the role.

"We have some older players who have experience of playing in World Cups, who have the experience of winning World Cups, and we have some younger players with unbelievable talent, no fear at all."

Glenn Maxwell falls firmly into the latter category having scored a century and two half-centuries in the tournament, averaging 75.25 and with a strike rate in excess of 183 runs per hundred balls.

The 26-year-old also chipped in with two key wickets in the Quarter-Final victory over Pakistan and caused a stir down under by unveiling a new shot that he later called "the back away, look away, deliberate cut through point."

With the ball, left-arm fast bowler Mitchell Starc needs four dismissals to overtake Trent Boult at the top of the tournament wicket-takers chart having so far taken 18 at an average of 9.77.

And with no shortage of men in form with both bat and ball, Clarke is asking his side to treat the last four encounter no differently to previous matches in the tournament.

"As big as this event is, as a player, it's no different to any other game," he said.

"I think you don't do yourself justice if your attitude changes because of the event.

"Our focus for the last couple of years has been the consistency of preparation, which has given us the consistency of performance."

 

Trent Bridge hosts the fourth Royal London One-Day International between England and New Zealand on Wednesday 17 June. Don't miss the chance to watch England seek redemption against the Kiwis and secure your seat now.