The oldest cricketing rivals will meet again in World Cup semi-final, but not for the first time in a World Cup knock out game. In 1987, these two teams played against each other in the finals of the World Cup at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Australia won the title for the first time, and they went to win four more, England, on the other hand, won no title, can they win this time?
Australia has been in great form despite losing their last game against South Africa at Old Trafford. They always deliver their best on the biggest stage. A few months back everyone wrote them off for World Cup favorites and on this day they are the most favorite team to win the World Cup. Although they are having an issue with injuries, they are still the favorites to win the title. Their only concern would be their middle order, just like India has not able to cope up with the top-order collapse, Australia also has an issue in this department, and it will be visible when they have to chase a modest target.
England won their last two games against the two strong teams, India and New Zealand, but they had lost to Australia in the group stage. England is to Australia what Pakistan is to India in World Cup clashes. They look strong on paper, but on the game day, something happens to them that they can’t deliver their best against the arch-rivals. Can they change history, can they win this time and reach the finals of the World Cup. All will be clear by Thursday night.
Rain is forecasted for the day, but it will be in the second half of the game as per weather reports.
Players to watch out for
David Warner (638) must be eyeing to become the highest run-scorer in a world cup edition. Its a knockout game and English bowlers would be ready to go after him. Warner needs to stay at wicket as much time as possible. The others can play around him. If he gives an excellent start to the team, Australia will have a great chance to knock out their arch-rivals.
Jofra Archer, England’s primary weapon in their bowling line up, needs to pick early wickets. Australia’s openers have always started well in the tournament, so Jofra has to break their opening partnership in the first few overs. It would put pressure on the middle order which has not done anything significant so far in this World Cup.
Australia v England in ODIs:
Overall: Matches 148, Australia Won 82, England Won 61, Tie 2, No Result 3
World Cup: Matches 8, Australia Won 6, England Won 2
Recent Form (most recent first): Australia L W W W W, England W W L L W
ICC Rankings: Australia (4), England (1)
Upcoming Records:
David Warner (638) needs 36 more runs to become the highest run-scorer in a World Cup edition, Sachin Tendulkar scored 673 runs in 2003 World Cup is the highest at the moment.
David Warner has scored 4,981 runs and needs 19 more to become the fifteenth Australian to reach the 5,000 runs milestone.
Mitchell Starc has taken 48 World Cup wickets and needs two more to become the second Australian player to reach the 50 wickets milestone.
Jos Buttler has taken 199 dismissals and needs one more to become the first England player to reach the 200 dismissals milestone.
Pat Cummins has taken 95 wickets and needs five more to become the seventeenth Australian player to reach the 100 ODI wickets milestone
Squads:
Australia: Aaron Finch (capt), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
England: Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Jos Buttler (wk), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.
