Who's saying what at the World Cup semi-finals
"David will be fine. He knows the rules, as we all do, and his rules are no different than the rest of ours."
- Australia captain Michael Clarke backs temperamental opener David Warner to behave himself in Thursday's semi-final against India in Sydney.
"I heard Davey (Warner) say he was not going to get involved in all that stuff. Someone has got to do it and I think I might put my hand up. It’s part of the game."
- Australia fast bowler Mitch Johnson offers to step in on Warner's behalf for sledging duties.
"Look a bit of sledging is okay as long as boundaries are not crossed. The Indian team will not cross the line, but we will not back down either."
- India batsman Rohit Sharma
"I talked to Dale Steyn today in Auckland and must say that my respect for him is enormous. True cricketing gentleman."
- Former England spinner Graeme Swann on encountering the South African fast bowler, whose side were knocked out of the World Cup by New Zealand.
"He did say when I saw him at the end 'does this mean I get to come to Melbourne?' There's a bit of irony there, I suppose. He's shown how he important he is to us so I'm sure he is looking forward to Melbourne."
- New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum on semi-final star Grant Elliott, who was not selected for a 20-man group which visited the Melbourne Cricket Ground on a scouting mission in October as his chances of being picked in the World Cup squad were considered to be slim.
"Hopefully we've got one more game, one more big fairytale finish for him and then we'll have a few beers."
- McCullum on aiming to give veteran spinner Daniel Vettori a winning send-off on Sunday.
"The bigger the expectation, the more that's asked, the bigger they stand up. I honestly don't think this World Cup final is going to daunt these guys."
- Former New Zealand all-rounder Jacob Oram (AFP)
