ICC World Cup 2019 semi-final 2, Australia v England: Preview, likely XIs, predictions

Even as the wait continues for the first finalist of the ICC World Cup 2019 with the first semi-final between India and New Zealand flowing into the reserve day, hosts England and arch rivals Australia get ready for the second semi-final on Thursday, July 11, at Edgbaston. The league-stage clash between the two sides was dominated by Australia, but since then England have roared back to beat India and New Zealand, and are favourites to make their first World Cup final since 1992.

Australia are grappling with injury issues to their players. Usman Khawaja, who sustained a hamstring injury in Australia’s final league game against South Africa, has been ruled out of the tournament. Marcus Stoinis has only just recovered from a side strain. Injuries aside, the form of Glenn Maxwell is also a cause for concern – he has returned 12, 1, 12, 32*, 46*, 20, 28, 0, and 4 this World Cup. Peter Handscomb will make his World Cup debut, playing for the injured Khawaja, confirmed coach Justin Langer on the eve of the match, and Matthew Wade is likely to replace Maxwell.

These issues aside, there are positives as well. David Warner (638 runs) and Aaron Finch (507) are in top form with the bat and Mitchell Starc is the leading wicket-taker in the tournament with 26 wickets. Alex Carey has emerged as the unlikely rescuer for the team with his rearguard knocks of 85 and 71 in his last two matches. 

Add to these the skills of Pat Cummins and Jason Behrendorff and there’s a core of players capable of pulling the team out of any situation. And this is after excluding Steve Smith, who has had a quiet World Cup so far.

England, on the other hand, have chosen to live by the sword and die by it. Even after bottling two matches, against Sri Lanka and Australia, England stuck to their attacking style of play and put up back-to-back 300-plus totals against good bowling attacks of India and New Zealand.

Openers Jason Roy (341 runs) and Jonny Bairstow (462) have gone all out from the first ball and have succeeded in giving their team quick starts. Ben Stokes (381 runs at 54.42 batting at No. 5) has been their most consistent batsman this tournament and all of Joe Root (500 runs), Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler have chipped in on occasions.

With the ball, too, England have options. Jofra Archer (17 wickets from 9 matches) has troubled all teams with his pace, while Mark Wood has been among the wickets as well (16 from 8). Chris Woakes has 10 wickets. However, the spin duo of Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali has underperformed, and Liam Plunkett has been expensive on occasions. Bowling appears to be their weaker suit when compared to their gun batting lineup.

Head to head

Australia lead England 81-62 in the head-to-head tally and 6-2 in World Cup cricket. In the last match between the two sides, at Lord’s last month, Australia beat England by 64 runs.

Key players

David Warner (Australia): Warner is the leading scorer for Australia this tournament and has played the calm to Finch’s storm at the top of the order. He has scored 638 runs this World Cup with 3 centuries and as many fifties and is striking the ball at almost 90. England should be wary.

Jonny Bairstow (England): Matching Warner shot-for-shot and even exceeding him on strike rate is Bairstow, who got back-to-back hundreds, against India and New Zealand. He has accumulated 462 runs at a strike rate of almost 98 with 2 tons and 2 fifties.

Likely XIs

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.

Australia: Aaron Finch (c), David Warner, Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Matthew Wade, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon.

Prediction

England to beat Australia to advance to the World Cup final.