England thrash Australia and roars into final

 

ICC World Cup Men’s Cricket 2019 Semi-finals at Edgbaston, Birmingham.

 Australia Vs England

Australia 223 ao ( ov) Smith 85 off 119, 6 fours, Carey 46 off 70 4 fours, Starc 29 off 36, 1 four, 1 six, Woakes 3-20, Rashid 54-3, Archer 2-32, Wood 1-45

 England 226-2 (49ov) Roy 85 off 65, 9 fours, 5 sixes, Bairstow 34 off 43, 5 fours, Root 49 off 46, 8 fours, Morgan 45 off 39, 8 fours, Starc 1-70, Cummins 1-34,

England win by 8 wickets

England into their first World Cup final since 1992 with a sensational eight-wicket victory over Australia at Edgbaston. The host will have the chance to lift the trophy for the first time when they meet New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday. A first win in a World Cup knockout match since 1992 was achieved over the defending champions, a match built on a riotous opening seven overs, when Australia was reduced to 14-3 by the Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer with the new ball. Archer left Alex Carey needing stitches from a blow to the chin, but the left hander recovered to make 46 and Steve Smith tried to hold Australia together with a fighting 85, and as stand of 103 and their efforts were in vain as Australia could muster only 223.

Roy defended Starc’s first over with an outrageous flick for six off the left-armer and tortured Smith for three consecutive sixes by Roy.

Mitchell Starc was thrashed by a prolific opening partnership between Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow of 124. England’s mind set was brilliant as their group stage defeat by Australia nearly left them on the brink of elimination. Since then they have beaten both India and New Zealand.

Until Saturday’s final round of group games, England were set to play India in this match.

 Finch, David Warner and Peter Handscomb were dismissed cheaply.

 Roy (85) stars, with Joe Root and Eoin Morgan took England races to target of 224 with 17.5 overs to spare.

Australia bowled out for 223, three wickets for Woakes and Rashid, two for Archer.