ICC World Cup 2019, road to semi-final: Australia

Australia held on to the top position of the league stage of the 2019 World Cup till the last day. Then India beat Sri Lanka to leapfrog ahead, while a defeat against South Africa meant that Australia failed to regain the top spot. They will now play third-ranked England in the second semi-final of the tournament, at Edgbaston on July 11. Here is how they have fared this time.

County Ground, Bristol, June 1: Beat Afghanistan by 7 wickets

Afghanistan recovered somewhat after losing both openers for ducks. However, some superb bowling and fielding pegged them back, and they were bowled out inside 39 overs, for 207. David Warner (89*) batted through the chase on his international comeback, adding 96 with Aaron Finch. Australia won in the 35th over.

Trent Bridge, Nottingham, June 6: Beat West Indies by 15 runs

Reduced to 38/4, Australia launched a counterattack led by Steven Smith (73) and Alex Carey (45). Nathan Coulter-Nile (92 in 60) took over from there, and Australia reached 288. The West Indians hit out, but none of them was around for long enough to pull off a victory. Mitchell Starc took 5/46.

The Oval, London, June 9: Lost to India by 36 runs

The famed Indian top three got 256 between them at a run a ball, setting up a launching pad from where they reached 352/5. Warner (56) set up the platform upon which Smith (69 in 70), Usman Khawaja (42 in 39), and Glenn Maxwell (28 in 14) failed to capitalise. Carey’s 35-ball unbeaten 55 went in vain.

County Ground, Taunton, June 12: Beat Pakistan by 41 runs

Australia failed to capitalise on the 146-run opening stand between Finch (82) and Warner (107). They collapsed to 307 against Mohammad Amir (5/30). Pakistan reached 136/2 in response and then 264/7 before running out of steam.

The Oval, London, June 15: Beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

Finch (153 in 132), Smith (73 in 59), and Maxwell (46* in 25) put Sri Lanka to sword, helping Australia post 334/7. The Sri Lankan openers added 115 in 93 balls. At 186/2 in the 33rd over they were still in it, but Starc (4/55) turned out to be too hot to handle.

Trent Bridge, Nottingham, June 20: Beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

Warner (166 in 147), Finch (53 in 51), Khawaja (89*), and Maxwell (32 in 10) were the heroes this time as Australia piled up 381/5. Bangladesh put up a spirited chase, but 333/8 was all they could muster against a target that was always going to be out of reach.

Lord’s, London, June 25: Beat England by 64 runs

Australia could not capitalise on the start provided by Finch (100) and Warner (53). It took a 27-ball 38 not out from Carey to take them to 285/7. However, that turned out to enough, for Jason Behrendorff (5/44) and Starc (4/43) soon left England reeling at 53/4. Ben Stokes attempted a recovery, but once he fell to a Starc yorker – arguably the ball of the tournament – England folded.

Lord’s, London, June 29: Beat New Zealand by 86 runs

Khawaja (88) and Carey (71) added 107 to help Australia recover from 92/5 to 243/9. New Zealand reached 97/2 with Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor at the crease before Starc (5/26) produced yet another outstanding spell to clinch the match.

Old Trafford, Manchester, July 6: Lost to South Africa by 10 runs

Australia, requiring a win to top the points table, were flattened by Faf du Plessis and Rassie van der Dussen. They then found themselves at 119/4 with Khawaja having to retire hurt. Nevertheless, Warner (122 in 117) and Carey (85 in 69) refused to give up, but once they fell, even Khawaja’s return could not help them win.