ICC World Cup 2019 Match 32, Australia v England: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

England v Australia. Top contenders. Ashes rivals. At Lord’s. One team that has changed its fortunes around after having had a dismal 2018. The other had aced almost every opponent in the lead up to the World Cup but has, to the surprise of many, stuttered and stumbled on occasions. Four years ago you would have thought Australia were the stronger side, and despite the hell of a lot that has changed between the last World Cup and this one, Australia still are the favourites.

Having lost only one match – against India at The Oval – and with their top three in top form, Australia walk into this game with 10 points from six matches, needing two more to book their place in the final four. David Warner and Aaron Finch have a century each to their names. Finch has two half-centuries, too. Usman Khawaja roared back to form with 89 against Bangladesh after a brief dip in the first few games of the tournament, and Steve Smith has already scored three half-centuries from six matches. Add to that Glenn Maxwell’s ability to tee off at the end and you have a power-packed and intimidating batting lineup.

The bowling has been good, too. Mitchell Starc is the joint-leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 15 wickets including one five-wicket haul. Pat Cummins is not too far behind with 11 scalps. The support staff of Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis needs to back the spearheads against one of the strongest batting lineups in the world.

England, on the other hand, have had their crests and troughs. After the high of their World Cup opening win against South Africa they were humbled by Pakistan. And after brushing aside West Indies and Afghanistan without breaking sweat, they were stunned by Sri Lanka. Their batting, always a high point in recent times, crumbled under pressure against Lasith Malinga co. and the bowlers have conceded three 300+ scores so far. While England have 8 points from six games and have Jofra Archer sharing the leading wicket-taker spot with Starc, that they have been found out by Pakistan and Sri Lanka will trouble them.

But not all is gloomy for the hosts – it’s the same team that brushed aside Bangladesh with nonchalance and hit 25 sixes against Afghanistan. Eoin Morgan, Joe Root and Ben Stokes are in top form and while Jason Roy’s injury has come as a blow and Jos Buttler’s quiet run after a century against Pakistan is concerning, if Jonny Bairstow and James Vince see off Starc and Cummins in the first 10 overs, the rest of the batsmen can punish the lesser Australian bowlers. With batsmen counting each other out, this game could be a direct competition between the two teams’ fast bowlers.

Head to head

The oldest rivals in the history of cricket have played 147 ODIs against each other with Australia leading England 81-61 in the head-to-head tally. The teams have faced off 7 times in World Cup games and Australia lead the tally here as well, having won 5 games to England’s 2. The last time the two teams squared off was when Australia toured England for a five-match ODI series in May 2018. England swept 5-0.

Key players

Ben Stokes (England): Stokes was the lone warrior for his side against Sri Lanka and his unbeaten half-century in a pressure-cooker situation should inspire his teammates to follow the lead. He can pace his innings well and can bat well with the tail, as he showed against Sri Lanka.

Aaron Finch (Australia): Finch has turned his fortunes around along with his team’s and has emerged as the most consistent ODI batsman for his side in 2019. A century and two half-centuries in this World Cup hold him in high regard among his peers and the opposition.

Likely XIs

England: James Vince, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.

Prediction

Australia’s bowlers keep the aggressive England batsmen in check.