MENU
Hosts England takes on Australia in the semi-finals of the 2019 ICC Cricket World Cup on July 11, 2019, at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England.
England
Hosts England finished the group stages in third place with six wins and three losses for a total of 12 points. The English looked in trouble early in the tournament but wins over India and New Zealand in their last games seem to have given this team back the confidence they lacked in the opening matches of the tournament.
In their last match, England defeated New Zealand by 199 runs. Johnny Bairstow was outstanding as he opened with 106 off only 99 balls. Jason Roy also scored 60 of 61 for the hosts. It was a good thing that both showed up because their middle failed them against the Kiwis.
England also took all of New Zealand’s 10 wickets and allowed just 168 runs. The impressive bowling display was led by Mark Wood who took three wickets which Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes took a wicket each. England also dismissed Ross Taylor and Kane Williamson with runouts in a fantastic display of fielding.
These are the members of England’s team:
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.
Australia
The defending champions took a surprise loss against South Africa in their final group stage assignments. The loss meant that Australia finished with a record of seven wins and two losses for 14 points, one behind India who led the points table at the end of the group stage with 15 points. It also meant that the defending champions would finish 2nd heading to the knockout stage.
The Aussies only have themselves to blame for their predicament. They played very poorly against South Africa and they lost the July 6th match by 10 runs. Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff went above six runs per over in an expensive display of bowling.
David Warner and Alex Carey played well enough to give their team a chance at winning the match. However, the rest of the batting lineup didn’t do as well. There are also concerns about the health of Marcus Stoinis and Usman Khawaja who are injured and may not be able to play in this contest.
Here is Australia’s squad:
Aaron Finch (capt), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, *Peter Handscomb, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa.
Who Wins?
England is the cricket betting favorites here. The pitch at Edgbaston is known as one of England’s main fortresses when it comes to cricket. It is usually very flat and a good venue for batting. There is no swing at Edgbaston which should aid England and hamper Australia’s chances. The defending champions could be playing with key injuries and that won’t help their cause either.
Australia looked in great shape before their match against Sout Africa but the tide may have turned for them. Not only are they coming off their poorest effort of the tournament, but they may also be heading to the semifinals without major players due to injury. That isn’t going to help against the hosts.
England already has the edge because they are playing at home But they also enter this encounter coming off huge wins over India and New Zealand which look to have revitalized the team after a so-so start. Against the Kiwis, the hosts played like they want to take the title
England is playing in one of their strongest grounds and Australia may be depleted. But even if both teams come out at full strength, it is England who enters this match with the much better form. With the crowd cheering them on, I expect the hosts to advance to the semifinals. Prediction: England
