England’s faltering World Cup campaign veered further off track as old rivals Australia booked their place in the semi-finals with a 64-run victory at Lord’s.
After misadventures against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, England ran aground when chasing for the third time in the tournament, dismissed for an error-strewn 221.
With India and New Zealand still to play, there is now minimal leeway if the world’s number-one side are to reach the semi-finals of their own competition.
Australia captain Aaron Finch paved the way for his side’s win, weathering a tricky start after being sent in and making exactly 100, while left-armer Jason Behrendorff took a maiden five-wicket haul.
Tweet of the day
High fives ?? to the English bloke who fired up Mitch with some banter at breaky….. onya legend!!
— Alyssa Healy (@ahealy77) June 25, 2019
Mitchell Starc’s wife, the Australia Women’s wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy, reveals a home supporter got the paceman’s competitive juices flowing on the morning of the match.
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The England captain was taking the optimistic view ahead of England’s last two group games.
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Bowled over
?Let’s do this? #cwc19 pic.twitter.com/JjGTT6grBm
— Jason Behrendorff (@JDorff5) June 1, 2019
Selected ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile, the Western Australia paceman announced himself in style when offered the chance to open the bowling on his first appearance at Lord’s. After one range-finder he conjured a wonderful inswinging yorker that would have cleaned up the very best. As a calling card in his first competitive outing against England, this one will take some beating.
Boo boys out in force
Up next
Tomorrow: New Zealand v Pakistan, 10:30 (Edgbaston)
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