KingKhanWC
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Should get a full days play even if there is a stoppage.
Marsh for Khawaja is a simple change, both similar bastmen but it takes Marsh a while to get into form.
England favs.
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Australia vs England | Semi Final 2, World Cup | Edgbaston | 11th Jul, 2019 | Pre Match Discussion
- Thread starter Chokli
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Should get a full days play even if there is a stoppage.
Marsh for Khawaja is a simple change, both similar bastmen but it takes Marsh a while to get into form.
England favs.
Abdullah719
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Shaun Marsh is out of the tournament, Peter Handscomb has replaced him in the lineup.
Usman Khawaja will likely be replaced by Matthew Wade once approved by the ICC, he's been ruled out.
Mitch Marsh is on standby but he isn't in the squad yet, he'll only join if Marcus Stoinis fails to recover. Looks like he has a chance still, unlike Khawaja.
Wade is in exceptional form, having played 4 List A games for Australia A against County sides in the last 2-3 weeks. He made 355 runs in those matches including two hundreds, at a SR of 182.
KingKhanWC
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Thanks for the update.
Im not sure Handscomb is good enough to come straight in so perhaps Wade will keep and bat lower down while Carey will be promoted.
Abdullah719
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Doubt Wade will keep, he has been playing for Australia A as a specialist bat (opener) with Handscomb keeping.
Hasan123
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Should be enough clear weather over 2 days to get a game in. Have Thursday off from work, so hopefully the game is played fully on Thursday.
I’ll go with Australia. I think playing on a flat pitch suits the. Their batters can be ruthless on such pitches and their bowlers know how to bowl on such pitches especially Starc. But if the pitch is bowling friendly that suits Australia as well , they have the attack to cover a spin friendly pitch and a pace friendly pitch.
This is the game I am looking forward to. I would prefer Australia to win but I really really hope we get a good game. I think it will be a good game.
I’ll go with Australia. I think playing on a flat pitch suits the. Their batters can be ruthless on such pitches and their bowlers know how to bowl on such pitches especially Starc. But if the pitch is bowling friendly that suits Australia as well , they have the attack to cover a spin friendly pitch and a pace friendly pitch.
This is the game I am looking forward to. I would prefer Australia to win but I really really hope we get a good game. I think it will be a good game.
jnaveen1980
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When was the last time Cummins and Starc contained batsmen on a flat track? Last time England played against them at home in 2018, both of them got pummeled by English batsmen. Even in this WC, they got blasted by the likes of Grandpa Dhoni when they bowled first on pattas.
I am the last person to root for English team ( thanks to their over-hyping media) but this team has the skills to blast the living daylights of Aussies on a flat patta. And Aussies are playing with only two batsmen and with mental midgets like Maxwell.
I am rooting for English win.
Hasan123
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As if England have been all conquering under pressure . Australia are still capable of producing on flat pitches.
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What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and Liam Plunkett says that’s the story of England’s campaign at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019.
The hosts slipped up three times in the group stages, suffering defeats to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia, who they face in a semi-final to savour on Thursday at Edgbaston.
One consistent factor in those losses was the absence of Plunkett, 34, who claims setbacks have only served to bolster England ahead of a clash with Steve Smith’s five-time winners.
“I think those defeats have made us stronger,” he said.
“We had a few bad games and went away from our style of cricket, but I feel like we've caught that in time.
“We're back to playing our best brand of cricket and we can still improve.
“I feel like we had a wobble at the right time, a bit of a blip, and it's made us stronger.
“How we're feeling right now going into this semi-final, we'd have taken it at the start of the competition.”
Plunkett featured at the 2007 tournament, with the 12 years and 39 days wait for his next World Cup appearance bettered only by Shoaib Malik and Anderson Cummins.
The Teesside product has been a key cog in England’s attack, dismissing India captain Virat Kohli en route to a crucial win and tying New Zealand down in the final group game.
Eoin Morgan’s men have been irresistible in the format over the last four years but having won 17 consecutive run chases at home, they fell short batting second three times in the group stage.
But far from buckling under pressure, Plunkett feels they have all the tools to deal with the expectation that comes with being a world number one side on home soil.
"It's a matter of how you deal with pressure, it's not a bad thing that it's there,” he said.
“People can thrive on it, people step out there and enjoy those moments. Other people have played under pressure, they've played in IPL and competitions around the world.
“It's a World Cup but you've got to enjoy it and deal with it as quickly as you can.
“Whether that's from being involved in the first ball, it's just finding a way to deal with it and get involved in the game as quickly as possible.
"Australia is a game that gets the juices flowing. We've performed really well in the last two games.
“Even though we were dominant in those games, we feel like we're stepping up a gear as well. We're in a good place.”
The hosts slipped up three times in the group stages, suffering defeats to Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Australia, who they face in a semi-final to savour on Thursday at Edgbaston.
One consistent factor in those losses was the absence of Plunkett, 34, who claims setbacks have only served to bolster England ahead of a clash with Steve Smith’s five-time winners.
“I think those defeats have made us stronger,” he said.
“We had a few bad games and went away from our style of cricket, but I feel like we've caught that in time.
“We're back to playing our best brand of cricket and we can still improve.
“I feel like we had a wobble at the right time, a bit of a blip, and it's made us stronger.
“How we're feeling right now going into this semi-final, we'd have taken it at the start of the competition.”
Plunkett featured at the 2007 tournament, with the 12 years and 39 days wait for his next World Cup appearance bettered only by Shoaib Malik and Anderson Cummins.
The Teesside product has been a key cog in England’s attack, dismissing India captain Virat Kohli en route to a crucial win and tying New Zealand down in the final group game.
Eoin Morgan’s men have been irresistible in the format over the last four years but having won 17 consecutive run chases at home, they fell short batting second three times in the group stage.
But far from buckling under pressure, Plunkett feels they have all the tools to deal with the expectation that comes with being a world number one side on home soil.
"It's a matter of how you deal with pressure, it's not a bad thing that it's there,” he said.
“People can thrive on it, people step out there and enjoy those moments. Other people have played under pressure, they've played in IPL and competitions around the world.
“It's a World Cup but you've got to enjoy it and deal with it as quickly as you can.
“Whether that's from being involved in the first ball, it's just finding a way to deal with it and get involved in the game as quickly as possible.
"Australia is a game that gets the juices flowing. We've performed really well in the last two games.
“Even though we were dominant in those games, we feel like we're stepping up a gear as well. We're in a good place.”
Well said. It will be the match of the WC. Could go along the lines of AUS vs SA with no clear favorite. Both teams can bat first or chase on a true wicket and it appears it will be a nice track with good weather
Wade is not in the X1. As per JL,Handscomb is in and Stoinis is fit. They probably missed a trick there. Wade could blast a quick fire 50 that can make all the difference
Ashraful_Rox
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Wade hasn’t played International cricket for quite a while and Handscomb has batted well against India in India. He should have been in the team ahead of Maxwell or Stoinis. Wade will struggle against Archer / Bumrah. Bashing county trundlers is different than playing against genuine fast bowlers.
hopefully england will beat australia so that we can have much expected and anticipated India-eng final ( if india beats NZ). This way india will get a chance to take revenge of that lost league match against england and that would mean india have beaten all the teams in the tournament. Unless of course the script is something else and england are supposed to win it this time as it's their best chance.
sweep_shot
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If India and England go to final, it will be #1 vs #2. I back England to win the final if they can beat Aussies.
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Langer has no doubts that last minute call up Handscomb is ready to play his part for Australia
Australia coach Justin Langer is confident his late replacement Peter Handscomb is ready to seize his chance on the biggest stage.

Peter Handscomb has been called into the Australia squad as injury replacement for Shaun Marsh
Coach Justin Langer confirmed that Handscomb will play against England at Edgbaston
Australia coach Justin Langer is confident his late replacement Peter Handscomb is ready to seize his chance on the biggest stage.
Handscomb has been added to the defending champion’s 15-man squad after injury to Shaun Marsh.
And Handscomb, who hasn’t played an ODI since March, will be drafted straight into action in Australia’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final with England at Edgbaston on Thursday.
"Peter will definitely play, 100 per cent," said Langer.
"He deserves it. He was really unlucky not to be in the initial squad after what he'd done to help us get to that point.
“He's in good form, he's played well for Australia A and gives us that nice balance through the middle order. He's great temperament and he’s on top of his game.
Langer also confirmed that all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is fit to play after his side injury survived a no-holds barred nets session in Birmingham.
“Marcus looks good and that was a very good nets session and really competitive and he’s ready to go,” he added.
The Australian coach raised eyebrows when he asked his team to walk barefoot around Edgbaston on Monday, a ritual he used to perform with old Aussie team-mate Matthew Hayden.
And he likes the confidence surging through his squad, despite the untimely injuries and a defeat to South Africa in their final group game.
“It’s about staying as relaxed as possible, we know we are going to be up against a great team in England. We need to be at our best and the best way to be that is to be nice and relaxed,” said Langer.
"It was just walking a lap of the oval with our shoes off. We could've done it with our shoes on and nobody would've said anything.
“We’ve got a group of players who have worked hard for the last six or seven months and have got to a World Cup semi-final, we’ve had some hiccups along the way but these guys have done a great job and everyone in this squad has played their role. That’s where I get my confidence from.”
Langer though knows England will present a tough challenge as they contest their first men’s World Cup final since 1992.
And despite wins against their old rivals in the group stage at Lord’s, and in an official warm-up game in Southampton, the Aussie coach still thinks Eoin Morgan’s men are the ‘best in the world.
“This England side have been together for four years and they’ve got to know each other and enjoy each other’s company,” he added. “They’ve got great continuity and great confidence and a lot of talented cricketers.
“You can take lessons from the past but this is a very different England team, they believe in each other and they are playing really well.
“I know they’ll be hard to beat, they’ve had a couple of blips but they’ve fought back really strongly. Regardless of what happens, they should be very proud of the cricket they’ve played in the last four years, they’ve been the benchmark side in world cricket.”
Australia coach Justin Langer is confident his late replacement Peter Handscomb is ready to seize his chance on the biggest stage.

Peter Handscomb has been called into the Australia squad as injury replacement for Shaun Marsh
Coach Justin Langer confirmed that Handscomb will play against England at Edgbaston
Australia coach Justin Langer is confident his late replacement Peter Handscomb is ready to seize his chance on the biggest stage.
Handscomb has been added to the defending champion’s 15-man squad after injury to Shaun Marsh.
And Handscomb, who hasn’t played an ODI since March, will be drafted straight into action in Australia’s ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup semi-final with England at Edgbaston on Thursday.
"Peter will definitely play, 100 per cent," said Langer.
"He deserves it. He was really unlucky not to be in the initial squad after what he'd done to help us get to that point.
“He's in good form, he's played well for Australia A and gives us that nice balance through the middle order. He's great temperament and he’s on top of his game.
Langer also confirmed that all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is fit to play after his side injury survived a no-holds barred nets session in Birmingham.
“Marcus looks good and that was a very good nets session and really competitive and he’s ready to go,” he added.
The Australian coach raised eyebrows when he asked his team to walk barefoot around Edgbaston on Monday, a ritual he used to perform with old Aussie team-mate Matthew Hayden.
And he likes the confidence surging through his squad, despite the untimely injuries and a defeat to South Africa in their final group game.
“It’s about staying as relaxed as possible, we know we are going to be up against a great team in England. We need to be at our best and the best way to be that is to be nice and relaxed,” said Langer.
"It was just walking a lap of the oval with our shoes off. We could've done it with our shoes on and nobody would've said anything.
“We’ve got a group of players who have worked hard for the last six or seven months and have got to a World Cup semi-final, we’ve had some hiccups along the way but these guys have done a great job and everyone in this squad has played their role. That’s where I get my confidence from.”
Langer though knows England will present a tough challenge as they contest their first men’s World Cup final since 1992.
And despite wins against their old rivals in the group stage at Lord’s, and in an official warm-up game in Southampton, the Aussie coach still thinks Eoin Morgan’s men are the ‘best in the world.
“This England side have been together for four years and they’ve got to know each other and enjoy each other’s company,” he added. “They’ve got great continuity and great confidence and a lot of talented cricketers.
“You can take lessons from the past but this is a very different England team, they believe in each other and they are playing really well.
“I know they’ll be hard to beat, they’ve had a couple of blips but they’ve fought back really strongly. Regardless of what happens, they should be very proud of the cricket they’ve played in the last four years, they’ve been the benchmark side in world cricket.”
hadi123
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England should win. Peaking at the right time and they've got their playing XI right. Their record at Edgbaston is also superb.
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Australia vs England head to head - how the two semi-finalists match up
The oldest rivalry in cricket will return to the knockout stages of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time in three decades when England take on Australia at Edgbaston.
England have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two sides since the 2015 World Cup
Australia beat England by 64 runs earlier in this World Cup at Lord’s
The oldest rivalry in cricket will return to the knockout stages of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time in three decades when England take on Australia at Edgbaston.
On the line is a place in the World Cup final, in the ninth meeting of the teams at a World Cup. From a dramatic semi-final in the first World Cup, to the closest final of them all, England and Australia have played out some classics, with the Australians having enjoyed the better of the meetings.
RECENT CLASHES
While Australia lead the head-to-head in World Cups six to two, it is England who have had the upper hand since the 2015 World Cup.
Their record includes a run of 10 wins in 11 matches against the Australians and a 5-0 whitewash last summer.
The most eye-catching of those results came at Trent Bridge when England scored 481/6, the highest-ever ODI total, recording their biggest-ever victory over Australia, by 242 runs.
However, while England have the edge in recent games, the World Cup match-ups favour Australia, including the group stage encounter between the teams at Lord’s last month.
1975 – THE GILMOUR SHOW
The teams met for the first time in the competition at the semi-final stage of the inaugural ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 1975 at Headingley.
It was a low-scoring affair, and a close-run encounter despite a stunning bowling display from the Australians after putting England in.
Gary Gilmour was virtually unplayable, finishing with figures of 6/14 as England were bundled out for just 93.
However, that proved a competitive total as Australia slumped to 39/6 in reply. John Snow had both Chappell brothers removed leg before but Gilmour then made a second crucial contribution of the game.
He and Doug Walters (20) added an unbeaten 55 to take Australia home, Gilmour making 28 at a run a ball on a wicket where no one else had found any fluency. That victory took Australia through to the first World Cup final, where they went on to lose tothe West Indies.
1979 – SKIPPERS UNITE
England captains past, present and future combined to help England exact revenge on Australia four years later in the group stages at Lord’s.
Geoff Boycott was the unlikely hero with the ball, taking 2/15 from six economical overs, while four run-outs help limit Australia to 159/9.
In response then-captain Mike Brearley (44) and a man who would later take on the role, Graham Gooch (53), combined to help England to a comfortable six-wicket victory.
Australia’s subsequent defeat to Pakistan saw them eliminated, while England went on to reach the final before suffering the same fate as the Australians as West Indies won their second straight title.
1987 – THE CLOSEST FINAL
The teams did not meet in 1983, but they faced off in the final four years later, both teams searching for their maiden title.
At Eden Gardens in Kolkata, David Boon scored a fine 75 as the Australians built steadily on their way to 253/5, Mike Veletta chipping in with a quick-fire 45 not out.
England looked to be in control in response as Bill Athey and Mike Gatting added 69, but an ill-advised reverse sweep from Gatting off the part-time off-spin of Allan Border turned the game on its head.
He departed for 41, Athey followed soon after for 58, and it was left to Allan Lamb to get them over the line.
Lamb made 45 before he was bowled by Steve Waugh, and England ended up falling agonizingly short, losing by just seven runs. That remains the closest margin in a World Cup final.
1992 – BEEFY ON FIRE
The next World Cup was playing in Australia and New Zealand, and it was in Sydney that Ian Botham inspired England to their second, and to date last, World Cup win over the Australians.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia were bowled out for just 171, with Botham the destroyer in chief as he took 4/31.
In reply, the all-rounder flourished in his pinch-hitting role at the top of the order, scoring 53, while opening partner Gooch scored 58.
Neither was there at the end, but England cruised to an eight-wicket success on their way to second spot in the group stages.
Australia, by contrast, missed out on a spot in the semi-finals due to Pakistan’s remarkable recovery.
It was the Pakistanis who went on to lift the trophy, beating England in the final by 22 runs, the third time England had fallen at the final hurdle.
2003 – BICHEL KNOCKS OUT ENGLAND
After an 11-year wait the teams met once more in South Africa, with defending champions Australia knowing that victory would eliminate their oldest rivals.
England batted first with Alec Stewart (46) and Andrew Flintoff (45) the chief contributors as they made 204/8 at Centurion.
The star man for Australia was Andy Bichel, who took 7/20 – the second best figures in a World Cup ever after teammate Glenn McGrath three days earlier against Namibia.
The chase was far from straightforward, with Andy Caddick taking 4/35 as Australia slumped to 135/8.
That was when Bichel joined master chaser Michael Bevan (74 not out) in the middle and the pair added 73 for the ninth wicket to take Australia home.
With seven wickets and then an unbeaten 34, Bichel was inevitably named Player of the Match, with Australia going on to win their second successive world title, beating India in the final.
2007 – AUSTRALIA MARCH ON
For the second successive World Cup, Australia got the better of England, and while this one did not knock out the English, it left them on the brink.
In Antigua, Kevin Pietersen produced a fine hundred as England batting first, making 104. However Ian Bell (77) provided his only real support as England collapsed to 247 all out, losing eight wickets for 83 runs.
In reply, Ricky Ponting managed the chase beautifully, making 86, before Michael Clarke came to the middle and saw Australia home with an unbeaten 55.
The Australians went on to claim a third successive title, beating Sri Lanka in the final.
2015 – FINCH OFF TO A FLYER
England and Australia met in the teams’ World Cup opener four years ago and it was current skipper Aaron Finch who was the star man, making 135 as Australia powered to352/9.
George Bailey chipped in with 55 and Glenn Maxwell scored a 40-ball 66, while Steve Finn did his bit to stem the flow with a hat-trick on his way to 5/71.
That total proved far too much for England, although James Taylor showed a lot of resistance on his way to 98 not out. Mitchell Marsh with the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 5/33.
As in 2003 and 2007, Australia went on to lift the trophy, seeing off New Zealand in the final, while England missed out on the quarter-finals.
2019 – A LORD’S LOVE AFFAIR
As he had four years previously, Finch scored a hundred in the first meeting between the teams at this World Cup, making exactly 100 as he and David Warner put on 123 for the opening wicket.
England fought back well to restrict Australia to 285/7 but that would prove more than enough.
At Lord’s, where Australia have had such a good record at both Test and ODI level, they were exceptional with the ball once again.
Jason Behrendorff (5/44) and Mitchell Starc (4/43) raced through England’s top order, the former removing James Vince with the second ball of the match.
Ben Stokes provided some resistance, making 89 before Starc removed him with a stunning yorker to end any slim hopes England still had.
Australia eventually ran out winners by 64 runs, but as the two teams meet for the second time at this World Cup – the first time this has happened – England will have an opportunity for revenge and a return to Lord’s.
The oldest rivalry in cricket will return to the knockout stages of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time in three decades when England take on Australia at Edgbaston.
England have won 10 of the last 11 meetings between the two sides since the 2015 World Cup
Australia beat England by 64 runs earlier in this World Cup at Lord’s
The oldest rivalry in cricket will return to the knockout stages of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup for the first time in three decades when England take on Australia at Edgbaston.
On the line is a place in the World Cup final, in the ninth meeting of the teams at a World Cup. From a dramatic semi-final in the first World Cup, to the closest final of them all, England and Australia have played out some classics, with the Australians having enjoyed the better of the meetings.
RECENT CLASHES
While Australia lead the head-to-head in World Cups six to two, it is England who have had the upper hand since the 2015 World Cup.
Their record includes a run of 10 wins in 11 matches against the Australians and a 5-0 whitewash last summer.
The most eye-catching of those results came at Trent Bridge when England scored 481/6, the highest-ever ODI total, recording their biggest-ever victory over Australia, by 242 runs.
However, while England have the edge in recent games, the World Cup match-ups favour Australia, including the group stage encounter between the teams at Lord’s last month.
1975 – THE GILMOUR SHOW
The teams met for the first time in the competition at the semi-final stage of the inaugural ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 1975 at Headingley.
It was a low-scoring affair, and a close-run encounter despite a stunning bowling display from the Australians after putting England in.
Gary Gilmour was virtually unplayable, finishing with figures of 6/14 as England were bundled out for just 93.
However, that proved a competitive total as Australia slumped to 39/6 in reply. John Snow had both Chappell brothers removed leg before but Gilmour then made a second crucial contribution of the game.
He and Doug Walters (20) added an unbeaten 55 to take Australia home, Gilmour making 28 at a run a ball on a wicket where no one else had found any fluency. That victory took Australia through to the first World Cup final, where they went on to lose tothe West Indies.
1979 – SKIPPERS UNITE
England captains past, present and future combined to help England exact revenge on Australia four years later in the group stages at Lord’s.
Geoff Boycott was the unlikely hero with the ball, taking 2/15 from six economical overs, while four run-outs help limit Australia to 159/9.
In response then-captain Mike Brearley (44) and a man who would later take on the role, Graham Gooch (53), combined to help England to a comfortable six-wicket victory.
Australia’s subsequent defeat to Pakistan saw them eliminated, while England went on to reach the final before suffering the same fate as the Australians as West Indies won their second straight title.
1987 – THE CLOSEST FINAL
The teams did not meet in 1983, but they faced off in the final four years later, both teams searching for their maiden title.
At Eden Gardens in Kolkata, David Boon scored a fine 75 as the Australians built steadily on their way to 253/5, Mike Veletta chipping in with a quick-fire 45 not out.
England looked to be in control in response as Bill Athey and Mike Gatting added 69, but an ill-advised reverse sweep from Gatting off the part-time off-spin of Allan Border turned the game on its head.
He departed for 41, Athey followed soon after for 58, and it was left to Allan Lamb to get them over the line.
Lamb made 45 before he was bowled by Steve Waugh, and England ended up falling agonizingly short, losing by just seven runs. That remains the closest margin in a World Cup final.
1992 – BEEFY ON FIRE
The next World Cup was playing in Australia and New Zealand, and it was in Sydney that Ian Botham inspired England to their second, and to date last, World Cup win over the Australians.
After winning the toss and electing to bat, Australia were bowled out for just 171, with Botham the destroyer in chief as he took 4/31.
In reply, the all-rounder flourished in his pinch-hitting role at the top of the order, scoring 53, while opening partner Gooch scored 58.
Neither was there at the end, but England cruised to an eight-wicket success on their way to second spot in the group stages.
Australia, by contrast, missed out on a spot in the semi-finals due to Pakistan’s remarkable recovery.
It was the Pakistanis who went on to lift the trophy, beating England in the final by 22 runs, the third time England had fallen at the final hurdle.
2003 – BICHEL KNOCKS OUT ENGLAND
After an 11-year wait the teams met once more in South Africa, with defending champions Australia knowing that victory would eliminate their oldest rivals.
England batted first with Alec Stewart (46) and Andrew Flintoff (45) the chief contributors as they made 204/8 at Centurion.
The star man for Australia was Andy Bichel, who took 7/20 – the second best figures in a World Cup ever after teammate Glenn McGrath three days earlier against Namibia.
The chase was far from straightforward, with Andy Caddick taking 4/35 as Australia slumped to 135/8.
That was when Bichel joined master chaser Michael Bevan (74 not out) in the middle and the pair added 73 for the ninth wicket to take Australia home.
With seven wickets and then an unbeaten 34, Bichel was inevitably named Player of the Match, with Australia going on to win their second successive world title, beating India in the final.
2007 – AUSTRALIA MARCH ON
For the second successive World Cup, Australia got the better of England, and while this one did not knock out the English, it left them on the brink.
In Antigua, Kevin Pietersen produced a fine hundred as England batting first, making 104. However Ian Bell (77) provided his only real support as England collapsed to 247 all out, losing eight wickets for 83 runs.
In reply, Ricky Ponting managed the chase beautifully, making 86, before Michael Clarke came to the middle and saw Australia home with an unbeaten 55.
The Australians went on to claim a third successive title, beating Sri Lanka in the final.
2015 – FINCH OFF TO A FLYER
England and Australia met in the teams’ World Cup opener four years ago and it was current skipper Aaron Finch who was the star man, making 135 as Australia powered to352/9.
George Bailey chipped in with 55 and Glenn Maxwell scored a 40-ball 66, while Steve Finn did his bit to stem the flow with a hat-trick on his way to 5/71.
That total proved far too much for England, although James Taylor showed a lot of resistance on his way to 98 not out. Mitchell Marsh with the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 5/33.
As in 2003 and 2007, Australia went on to lift the trophy, seeing off New Zealand in the final, while England missed out on the quarter-finals.
2019 – A LORD’S LOVE AFFAIR
As he had four years previously, Finch scored a hundred in the first meeting between the teams at this World Cup, making exactly 100 as he and David Warner put on 123 for the opening wicket.
England fought back well to restrict Australia to 285/7 but that would prove more than enough.
At Lord’s, where Australia have had such a good record at both Test and ODI level, they were exceptional with the ball once again.
Jason Behrendorff (5/44) and Mitchell Starc (4/43) raced through England’s top order, the former removing James Vince with the second ball of the match.
Ben Stokes provided some resistance, making 89 before Starc removed him with a stunning yorker to end any slim hopes England still had.
Australia eventually ran out winners by 64 runs, but as the two teams meet for the second time at this World Cup – the first time this has happened – England will have an opportunity for revenge and a return to Lord’s.
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10 July - Birmingham - Australia Captain Aaron Finch pre-match press conference
Q. Aaron, there's about 20 cameras here, a whole lot more journos. You know the finals are right on the doorstep, don't you?
AARON FINCH: Yes, absolutely, it's been exciting. It's been a great build-up in the last few days since our South African game. I think we've had a really good preparation the last few days, the guys have had a really good hit out, so now is the time to get down to the cricket. It is very exciting.
Q. Glenn Maxwell not here. Are we reading too much into that?
AARON FINCH: Yes, a purely optional training session. Maxxy is someone who probably 50 percent of the time comes down to the optional sessions. Most of the bowlers aren't here. Davey's not here. So I think you are reading a bit too much into that.
Q. So what are you weighing up? The coach has admitted that Peter Handscomb is definitely in. What are you weighing up in terms of the 11 in terms of Maxxy or others?
AARON FINCH: No, we'll name our side tomorrow at the toss as usual.
Q. Aaron, can you tell us how important the contributions of David Warner have been in this tournament and whether he's shown extra responsibility since his return?
AARON FINCH: Yeah, it's been unbelievable, his output I think just purely based on the amount of runs he's made has been a huge contribution to why we are here in the semifinals. The way he has gone about his innings, particularly at the start of the tournament, was finding his feet a little bit back, finding the pace of the game again, but the last few games against some really world-class attacks he's played beautifully, under pressure he's played really well also.
So it is nice to see how dominant he's been. We all know that he is a world-class player, so definitely not a surprise, he hasn't exceeded anyone's expectations but the way he's gone about it, the maturity to really kick on and get those big hundreds has been really important.
Q. There's obviously a lot of history and tradition between Australia and England. In things like World Cups Australia seem to have been able to handle that pressure better over the years. Do you feel that you will be able to handle it better tomorrow and if not, how do you think England might cope with it?
AARON FINCH: I think World Cups are very special, they bring out the best in the best players, so I think that's why Australia have had a very rich history in World Cups. I mean, winning four of the last five, it's been a great achievement.
I think when we look at our side at the moment we are full of confidence going into this game. Obviously England have been probably the front-runners in world cricket over the last four years, the way they have changed the game, their game plan in particular has been very aggressive, taking it to the opposition.
So for us we know how they are going to play, they know how we are going to play. We have played each other a lot over the last couple of years, so it will be whoever holds their nerves, whoever takes them half chances, whoever starts off the game really well in the first ten overs, whether it is with bat or ball, it will be so important for either side.
Q. You always get a very warm reception, don't you, here at Edgbaston from the cricket fans. Are you ready for that again?
AARON FINCH: Yeah, absolutely. It's a great crowd to play in front of, regardless whether you are on the receiving end of some good banter. It is always a great atmosphere and a pleasure to play here. I think although they can be quite parochial at times, it is always good fun, they sing some good tunes out there.
Q. Have you had a chance to look at the pitch much? And there seems to have been so many different kinds of pitches and conditions and everything so far, what are you expecting here from what you already know and what you have seen?
AARON FINCH: Only had a really brief look at it. It looks like a good wicket. It is reasonably hard at the moment. No doubt it will get a little bit harder before the start tomorrow and a little bit of grass, but I expect the curator to shave a bit more of that off as well, so I expect a good cricket-wicket, something that will be probably batter friendly if you had to choose between the two.
You don't expect too much different here at Edgbaston. It's a very entertaining ground. It's relatively high-scoring if you look at the statistics over the last few years, so it will be good, fun encounter to watch no doubt.
Q. How much confidence can you take from the win at Lord's and, in particular, the way England struggled against your left-armers?
AARON FINCH: I think we take a lot of confidence into the game. They have Jason back at the top instead of James Vince. But I think the way we went about it in that game and the warm-up game against them at Southampton, I thought our processes were really good, we won some really key moments in the game which was crucial as well.
So like I said before, it will be about which team takes them opportunities, takes that half chance and grabs the momentum and runs with it as much as they can. They are always great games. So -- I know I have played in one World Cup semifinal and it was a hell of an experience, it was an unbelievable game, so not expecting too much different.
Q. A very high-pressure game, but what are you guys going to do for the rest of the day and tonight to take your mind off things?
AARON FINCH: It is up to the individual, just feet up. I think I'm off to watch a movie with the wife this afternoon, 'The Queen's Corgi' is coming out today so I will be off to see that this afternoon. (Laughter). What's wrong with that? (Laughter) Yeah, just be individual, whatever the guys want to do. A few boys will head out and have a few coffees and try and relax and keep their feet up.
Q. On the bigger picture, your thoughts on one-day cricket as far as what this tournament has done. The 50 over game has been left behind a bit in the last couple of years, what has this tournament done for it?
AARON FINCH: The tournament has been outstanding the way that it's gone. There has been a lot of games that have gone really deep. There's been a few one-sided games but that happens when you play so many games of cricket. But all in all the standard of the cricket has been outstanding. The combination or the contest between bat and ball has probably brought it back to what we have seen during the last four years, which has been a real dominance by the bat but that's been a great part of the tournament in my opinion that everyone's had an opportunity to dominate at some point.
I know the fans want to see huge scores and lots of boundaries, lots of sixes, so... But I find the most entertaining games are those 240, 260 games when there is a bit in the wicket for everyone. If you bowl well, you get rewarded. If you bat well and get through them periods, you equally get rewarded. So I think it's shown what a really good contest between bat and ball can do.
Q. Aaron, Justin Langer spoke about redemption and looking at the bigger picture. How important has this tournament been to restore Australia's reputation not only in the Australian public's eyes, but in the cricket community worldwide?
AARON FINCH: Yeah, I think it's -- we don't play or we don't have any extra motivation because of redemption, we are representing our country each and every game and that's enough for us. But I think the way that we have gone about our cricket, the way we have gone about playing all our games has been in the right spirit, as has the whole competition. It's been one that's been played in unbelievable sportsmanship and spirit. The spirit of the game has been outstanding. So as far as redemption goes, I think that's up to the individuals to tell them stories once the tournament is over.
Q. Aaron, I wasn't here yesterday so the question might have been asked. I'd like to know about the barefoot walkabout. Was it your idea? What were you hoping to get from it? What was it all about?
AARON FINCH: No, it was JL's idea. He is quite spiritual, as most people know. He's quite chilled out and zen. So it was a chance for the boys to walk around the ground barefoot. It just feels nice actually. You should try it, it is very nice.
Q. Quite unusual, isn't it?
AARON FINCH: We have done it a little bit. Maybe just there's a few more cameras here covering a World Cup semifinal than usual.
Q. I appreciate the team selection won't come out till the morning. Can you talk to us about Glenn Maxwell's form in the tournament? How you feel he's been going and whether you think runs are around the corner for him potentially?
AARON FINCH: Yes, I think runs are around the corner. I think he would have liked to have got a few more runs, but he's been hitting the ball nicely. I think if you look at his contribution in the field, he's up there with most runs saved in the field, his great run-out at Taunton to win that game for us against Pakistan in a really tight game, the overs that he's bowled, he hasn't got the wickets but he's bowled really tight, he's bowled some key overs for us that have allowed us to mix and match our bowlers through them middle overs.
As far as the runs, I'm not bothered about that at all because the way he's batting, the way that he's going about his innings, I think there's some real positives there, so runs are just around the corner and we know how damaging he is. When he gets in, he can be as destructive as anyone in the world, so that is a real, that is a huge positive.
But I think the overall package, the three factors that he brings to the game is still a very exciting package.
Q. Aaron, what do you make of your opposite number Eoin Morgan and his captaincy and what he's done with England over the last four years?
AARON FINCH: I think the way that he's gone about being quite, I suppose he is very open with the players, the players run a lot of the stuff and the way that he's backed his players has probably been a huge thing for the success of the England side.
They sat down -- from what I have been told -- they sat down and devised a game plan, how they wanted to attack this World Cup a few years back, and they have been really supportive of all the players that they identified could have a huge impact in the tournament.
And I think that is a really crucial part, when you look at a side over four years, players are going to have ups and downs in form, but the success, the confidence that you get as a player when you are backed 100 percent by your captain, by your coach and selectors, I think is huge.
So, yeah, I think that is a huge credit to the way they have gone about it. He's obviously a very calm guy under pressure as well so that goes a long way.
Q. Aaron, there's about 20 cameras here, a whole lot more journos. You know the finals are right on the doorstep, don't you?
AARON FINCH: Yes, absolutely, it's been exciting. It's been a great build-up in the last few days since our South African game. I think we've had a really good preparation the last few days, the guys have had a really good hit out, so now is the time to get down to the cricket. It is very exciting.
Q. Glenn Maxwell not here. Are we reading too much into that?
AARON FINCH: Yes, a purely optional training session. Maxxy is someone who probably 50 percent of the time comes down to the optional sessions. Most of the bowlers aren't here. Davey's not here. So I think you are reading a bit too much into that.
Q. So what are you weighing up? The coach has admitted that Peter Handscomb is definitely in. What are you weighing up in terms of the 11 in terms of Maxxy or others?
AARON FINCH: No, we'll name our side tomorrow at the toss as usual.
Q. Aaron, can you tell us how important the contributions of David Warner have been in this tournament and whether he's shown extra responsibility since his return?
AARON FINCH: Yeah, it's been unbelievable, his output I think just purely based on the amount of runs he's made has been a huge contribution to why we are here in the semifinals. The way he has gone about his innings, particularly at the start of the tournament, was finding his feet a little bit back, finding the pace of the game again, but the last few games against some really world-class attacks he's played beautifully, under pressure he's played really well also.
So it is nice to see how dominant he's been. We all know that he is a world-class player, so definitely not a surprise, he hasn't exceeded anyone's expectations but the way he's gone about it, the maturity to really kick on and get those big hundreds has been really important.
Q. There's obviously a lot of history and tradition between Australia and England. In things like World Cups Australia seem to have been able to handle that pressure better over the years. Do you feel that you will be able to handle it better tomorrow and if not, how do you think England might cope with it?
AARON FINCH: I think World Cups are very special, they bring out the best in the best players, so I think that's why Australia have had a very rich history in World Cups. I mean, winning four of the last five, it's been a great achievement.
I think when we look at our side at the moment we are full of confidence going into this game. Obviously England have been probably the front-runners in world cricket over the last four years, the way they have changed the game, their game plan in particular has been very aggressive, taking it to the opposition.
So for us we know how they are going to play, they know how we are going to play. We have played each other a lot over the last couple of years, so it will be whoever holds their nerves, whoever takes them half chances, whoever starts off the game really well in the first ten overs, whether it is with bat or ball, it will be so important for either side.
Q. You always get a very warm reception, don't you, here at Edgbaston from the cricket fans. Are you ready for that again?
AARON FINCH: Yeah, absolutely. It's a great crowd to play in front of, regardless whether you are on the receiving end of some good banter. It is always a great atmosphere and a pleasure to play here. I think although they can be quite parochial at times, it is always good fun, they sing some good tunes out there.
Q. Have you had a chance to look at the pitch much? And there seems to have been so many different kinds of pitches and conditions and everything so far, what are you expecting here from what you already know and what you have seen?
AARON FINCH: Only had a really brief look at it. It looks like a good wicket. It is reasonably hard at the moment. No doubt it will get a little bit harder before the start tomorrow and a little bit of grass, but I expect the curator to shave a bit more of that off as well, so I expect a good cricket-wicket, something that will be probably batter friendly if you had to choose between the two.
You don't expect too much different here at Edgbaston. It's a very entertaining ground. It's relatively high-scoring if you look at the statistics over the last few years, so it will be good, fun encounter to watch no doubt.
Q. How much confidence can you take from the win at Lord's and, in particular, the way England struggled against your left-armers?
AARON FINCH: I think we take a lot of confidence into the game. They have Jason back at the top instead of James Vince. But I think the way we went about it in that game and the warm-up game against them at Southampton, I thought our processes were really good, we won some really key moments in the game which was crucial as well.
So like I said before, it will be about which team takes them opportunities, takes that half chance and grabs the momentum and runs with it as much as they can. They are always great games. So -- I know I have played in one World Cup semifinal and it was a hell of an experience, it was an unbelievable game, so not expecting too much different.
Q. A very high-pressure game, but what are you guys going to do for the rest of the day and tonight to take your mind off things?
AARON FINCH: It is up to the individual, just feet up. I think I'm off to watch a movie with the wife this afternoon, 'The Queen's Corgi' is coming out today so I will be off to see that this afternoon. (Laughter). What's wrong with that? (Laughter) Yeah, just be individual, whatever the guys want to do. A few boys will head out and have a few coffees and try and relax and keep their feet up.
Q. On the bigger picture, your thoughts on one-day cricket as far as what this tournament has done. The 50 over game has been left behind a bit in the last couple of years, what has this tournament done for it?
AARON FINCH: The tournament has been outstanding the way that it's gone. There has been a lot of games that have gone really deep. There's been a few one-sided games but that happens when you play so many games of cricket. But all in all the standard of the cricket has been outstanding. The combination or the contest between bat and ball has probably brought it back to what we have seen during the last four years, which has been a real dominance by the bat but that's been a great part of the tournament in my opinion that everyone's had an opportunity to dominate at some point.
I know the fans want to see huge scores and lots of boundaries, lots of sixes, so... But I find the most entertaining games are those 240, 260 games when there is a bit in the wicket for everyone. If you bowl well, you get rewarded. If you bat well and get through them periods, you equally get rewarded. So I think it's shown what a really good contest between bat and ball can do.
Q. Aaron, Justin Langer spoke about redemption and looking at the bigger picture. How important has this tournament been to restore Australia's reputation not only in the Australian public's eyes, but in the cricket community worldwide?
AARON FINCH: Yeah, I think it's -- we don't play or we don't have any extra motivation because of redemption, we are representing our country each and every game and that's enough for us. But I think the way that we have gone about our cricket, the way we have gone about playing all our games has been in the right spirit, as has the whole competition. It's been one that's been played in unbelievable sportsmanship and spirit. The spirit of the game has been outstanding. So as far as redemption goes, I think that's up to the individuals to tell them stories once the tournament is over.
Q. Aaron, I wasn't here yesterday so the question might have been asked. I'd like to know about the barefoot walkabout. Was it your idea? What were you hoping to get from it? What was it all about?
AARON FINCH: No, it was JL's idea. He is quite spiritual, as most people know. He's quite chilled out and zen. So it was a chance for the boys to walk around the ground barefoot. It just feels nice actually. You should try it, it is very nice.
Q. Quite unusual, isn't it?
AARON FINCH: We have done it a little bit. Maybe just there's a few more cameras here covering a World Cup semifinal than usual.
Q. I appreciate the team selection won't come out till the morning. Can you talk to us about Glenn Maxwell's form in the tournament? How you feel he's been going and whether you think runs are around the corner for him potentially?
AARON FINCH: Yes, I think runs are around the corner. I think he would have liked to have got a few more runs, but he's been hitting the ball nicely. I think if you look at his contribution in the field, he's up there with most runs saved in the field, his great run-out at Taunton to win that game for us against Pakistan in a really tight game, the overs that he's bowled, he hasn't got the wickets but he's bowled really tight, he's bowled some key overs for us that have allowed us to mix and match our bowlers through them middle overs.
As far as the runs, I'm not bothered about that at all because the way he's batting, the way that he's going about his innings, I think there's some real positives there, so runs are just around the corner and we know how damaging he is. When he gets in, he can be as destructive as anyone in the world, so that is a real, that is a huge positive.
But I think the overall package, the three factors that he brings to the game is still a very exciting package.
Q. Aaron, what do you make of your opposite number Eoin Morgan and his captaincy and what he's done with England over the last four years?
AARON FINCH: I think the way that he's gone about being quite, I suppose he is very open with the players, the players run a lot of the stuff and the way that he's backed his players has probably been a huge thing for the success of the England side.
They sat down -- from what I have been told -- they sat down and devised a game plan, how they wanted to attack this World Cup a few years back, and they have been really supportive of all the players that they identified could have a huge impact in the tournament.
And I think that is a really crucial part, when you look at a side over four years, players are going to have ups and downs in form, but the success, the confidence that you get as a player when you are backed 100 percent by your captain, by your coach and selectors, I think is huge.
So, yeah, I think that is a huge credit to the way they have gone about it. He's obviously a very calm guy under pressure as well so that goes a long way.
- Joined
- Oct 2, 2004
- Runs
- 218,051
10 July - Birmingham - England Captain Eoin Morgan pre-match press conference
Q. Is everybody fit?
EOIN MORGAN: Everybody is fit.
Q. What selection issues do you have, if any? Are you likely to be unchanged?
EOIN MORGAN: It depends on the groundsman's final preparation this afternoon. I haven't been able to look at the wicket since yesterday. He said he was going to take more grass off the wicket, but it looked good. It looked as good as the game that we played India here, so if it is, we'll try and select accordingly.
Q. If it is, you stick with Liam Plunkett?
EOIN MORGAN: Again, if he takes more grass off, if it looks like it is going to turn, that decision makes itself... If he takes more grass off and we feel it is going to turn, we will lean towards the spinner.
Q. You come into this game off the back of two wins, everyone is fully fit, and you are at a ground you have won the last ten at. You must be very confident?
EOIN MORGAN: I think probably more confident than we were three games ago. I think we are probably a different team that played four games ago and three games ago. I think the loss against Sri Lanka hurt us. It was an overhang into the Lord's game and then when we came here we managed to produce something similar to the cricket we have been playing over the last four years and that was really encouraging. We went to Durham to put in a better performance and improved again and tomorrow we will look to do the same.
Q. In terms of the Edgbaston crowd, they are quite loud, Australia are your big rivals. Can they help you against Australia tomorrow?
EOIN MORGAN: I think that is part and parcel of being the hosts, a little bit of home advantage. I think it plays a part here at Edgbaston. There is a reason we do have a lot of success here. The wicket tends to suit us but also the support as well.
Q. Finally from me, Glenn Maxwell, some doubt over his selection. What do you make of him? Is he a danger man in your eyes for Australia?
EOIN MORGAN: He is and has been for a long time. We are presuming he's playing. We are just preparing for all 15 to play. Whatever team they come at us with, hopefully we've picked, I suppose, the best plans and the best team to counter that.
Q. Chris Woakes, ten wickets so far, one brilliant catch. No-one loves playing here at Edgbaston against Australia more than Chris?
EOIN MORGAN: He's outstanding player. He's been a key player for us for a long time now, not only with the ball in the first ten overs, but with the bat. On numerous occasions, he's delivered when we've been four or five down early and he's had a part to play, so he's a key player for us.
Q. The Australians will be worried about him, they will know everything about him?
EOIN MORGAN: They'll certainly know everything about him, like we will about their players. We have played each other a lot over the last two-and-a-half years or so, so yeah.
Q. When you look around your teammates today and look them in the face, what are you seeing? Are you seeing excitement, tension, focus? How do you describe it?
EOIN MORGAN: I suppose all of those things. I haven't seen them yet, we are training later on, but I think excitement probably should be the dominant one. Everybody is excited and has been the last couple of days to play this game. It's the semifinal of a World Cup.
I think the fact that throughout the group stages for a while getting through to this stage looked unlikely, or was called into question. I think that makes it more exciting for us.
Q. You have always tried to play cricket with a smile and a positive perspective. In a massive game like this, is it always possible?
EOIN MORGAN: Yes, it is, definitely. I think sometimes -- and I'm guilty of it -- you can lose sight of the fact the position that you are in and the fact you are living your dream. I don't think it is impossible to play with a smile on your face.
Q. You say you are preparing for all 15 to take to the field for Australia.
EOIN MORGAN: 16, they have an extra traveller I think as well.
Q. Well, Handscomb is already in. If they play Wade as well, that's two debutantes in this tournament. Is that something you can target Australia on, considering the magnitude of this game?
EOIN MORGAN: No, we tend not to target individuals unless somebody is having a really bad day on the day. We tend to target the team as a whole and particularly a side as strong as Australia. I don't think you can find any one particular weakness a day out and say tomorrow we are going to predict this is going to happen because the majority of the time you get it wrong.
Q. The two left-armers shared nine wickets at Lord's. What did you not get right that day and what have you done subsequently and how will your approach to them differ this time around?
EOIN MORGAN: Losing wickets early hurt us. I don't think we were anywhere near playing our best cricket. On top of that, there was a hangover from the Sri Lanka game and I think since then, we have played against quality bowling line-ups and overcome them.
One of them obviously being a left-armer, Trent Boult. So to counter that, that is all we can do, we can practice as much as we can against left-armers, but we need to deliver tomorrow.
Q. Sometimes you see batsmen who are dropped in an innings -- and you have experienced this -- and it seems to free them to go on and just make the most of their second life. Is that kind of what it feels, a bit like when you were talking about having that fear when you had those losses and now you have almost got this freedom to go for it?
EOIN MORGAN: I don't think it was fear, I think it was a sense of missed opportunity. I think Sri Lanka was a game we felt we could have won and should have won, but let ourselves down and that had an overhang into the Australia game. Sorry what was the second question?
Q. Is it the same sort of sense when you are dropped early in an innings and it frees you a little bit knowing you maybe came close to not making it?
EOIN MORGAN: Maybe a little bit. I think we are obviously thankful that we are still in the tournament and that wasn't the last two games of the group stage to go through. But it just feels like we are back to the team that we are, yeah.
Q. Aaron Finch said he is going to take his mind off the things tomorrow by watching a film. Is there anything that you or the rest of team will do differently tonight to ease the nerves before the pressure?
EOIN MORGAN: Not differently. If I find anybody is doing anything differently, I would be upset. We have prepared for moments like this. We have played in crunch games, not semifinals, they have been to win a series, so guys will be doing their own things. Some guys will be on the Xbox, some guys will play golf, some will go to the cinema. So yes, doing what they normally do.
Q. You spoke about excitement, what about tension? Given how much England wants this title, do you feel that you will take on the expectations of the nation at all given where we are in the tournament at this point?
EOIN MORGAN: I think we have throughout the tournament and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. The support we have had throughout the tournament has been unbelievable and certainly something I have never experienced in my life. The amount of good faith and goodwill going around is fantastic, so we sense the support that's with us, but also the opportunity as well.
Q. Just wondering about the Australian team selections and whether you take any notice of the fact that Justin Langer has said Peter Handscomb is playing and the rumours about Matt Wade, do you take them at face value, or do you think the Australians are playing games?
EOIN MORGAN: I will wait for the toss tomorrow.
Q. Is everybody fit?
EOIN MORGAN: Everybody is fit.
Q. What selection issues do you have, if any? Are you likely to be unchanged?
EOIN MORGAN: It depends on the groundsman's final preparation this afternoon. I haven't been able to look at the wicket since yesterday. He said he was going to take more grass off the wicket, but it looked good. It looked as good as the game that we played India here, so if it is, we'll try and select accordingly.
Q. If it is, you stick with Liam Plunkett?
EOIN MORGAN: Again, if he takes more grass off, if it looks like it is going to turn, that decision makes itself... If he takes more grass off and we feel it is going to turn, we will lean towards the spinner.
Q. You come into this game off the back of two wins, everyone is fully fit, and you are at a ground you have won the last ten at. You must be very confident?
EOIN MORGAN: I think probably more confident than we were three games ago. I think we are probably a different team that played four games ago and three games ago. I think the loss against Sri Lanka hurt us. It was an overhang into the Lord's game and then when we came here we managed to produce something similar to the cricket we have been playing over the last four years and that was really encouraging. We went to Durham to put in a better performance and improved again and tomorrow we will look to do the same.
Q. In terms of the Edgbaston crowd, they are quite loud, Australia are your big rivals. Can they help you against Australia tomorrow?
EOIN MORGAN: I think that is part and parcel of being the hosts, a little bit of home advantage. I think it plays a part here at Edgbaston. There is a reason we do have a lot of success here. The wicket tends to suit us but also the support as well.
Q. Finally from me, Glenn Maxwell, some doubt over his selection. What do you make of him? Is he a danger man in your eyes for Australia?
EOIN MORGAN: He is and has been for a long time. We are presuming he's playing. We are just preparing for all 15 to play. Whatever team they come at us with, hopefully we've picked, I suppose, the best plans and the best team to counter that.
Q. Chris Woakes, ten wickets so far, one brilliant catch. No-one loves playing here at Edgbaston against Australia more than Chris?
EOIN MORGAN: He's outstanding player. He's been a key player for us for a long time now, not only with the ball in the first ten overs, but with the bat. On numerous occasions, he's delivered when we've been four or five down early and he's had a part to play, so he's a key player for us.
Q. The Australians will be worried about him, they will know everything about him?
EOIN MORGAN: They'll certainly know everything about him, like we will about their players. We have played each other a lot over the last two-and-a-half years or so, so yeah.
Q. When you look around your teammates today and look them in the face, what are you seeing? Are you seeing excitement, tension, focus? How do you describe it?
EOIN MORGAN: I suppose all of those things. I haven't seen them yet, we are training later on, but I think excitement probably should be the dominant one. Everybody is excited and has been the last couple of days to play this game. It's the semifinal of a World Cup.
I think the fact that throughout the group stages for a while getting through to this stage looked unlikely, or was called into question. I think that makes it more exciting for us.
Q. You have always tried to play cricket with a smile and a positive perspective. In a massive game like this, is it always possible?
EOIN MORGAN: Yes, it is, definitely. I think sometimes -- and I'm guilty of it -- you can lose sight of the fact the position that you are in and the fact you are living your dream. I don't think it is impossible to play with a smile on your face.
Q. You say you are preparing for all 15 to take to the field for Australia.
EOIN MORGAN: 16, they have an extra traveller I think as well.
Q. Well, Handscomb is already in. If they play Wade as well, that's two debutantes in this tournament. Is that something you can target Australia on, considering the magnitude of this game?
EOIN MORGAN: No, we tend not to target individuals unless somebody is having a really bad day on the day. We tend to target the team as a whole and particularly a side as strong as Australia. I don't think you can find any one particular weakness a day out and say tomorrow we are going to predict this is going to happen because the majority of the time you get it wrong.
Q. The two left-armers shared nine wickets at Lord's. What did you not get right that day and what have you done subsequently and how will your approach to them differ this time around?
EOIN MORGAN: Losing wickets early hurt us. I don't think we were anywhere near playing our best cricket. On top of that, there was a hangover from the Sri Lanka game and I think since then, we have played against quality bowling line-ups and overcome them.
One of them obviously being a left-armer, Trent Boult. So to counter that, that is all we can do, we can practice as much as we can against left-armers, but we need to deliver tomorrow.
Q. Sometimes you see batsmen who are dropped in an innings -- and you have experienced this -- and it seems to free them to go on and just make the most of their second life. Is that kind of what it feels, a bit like when you were talking about having that fear when you had those losses and now you have almost got this freedom to go for it?
EOIN MORGAN: I don't think it was fear, I think it was a sense of missed opportunity. I think Sri Lanka was a game we felt we could have won and should have won, but let ourselves down and that had an overhang into the Australia game. Sorry what was the second question?
Q. Is it the same sort of sense when you are dropped early in an innings and it frees you a little bit knowing you maybe came close to not making it?
EOIN MORGAN: Maybe a little bit. I think we are obviously thankful that we are still in the tournament and that wasn't the last two games of the group stage to go through. But it just feels like we are back to the team that we are, yeah.
Q. Aaron Finch said he is going to take his mind off the things tomorrow by watching a film. Is there anything that you or the rest of team will do differently tonight to ease the nerves before the pressure?
EOIN MORGAN: Not differently. If I find anybody is doing anything differently, I would be upset. We have prepared for moments like this. We have played in crunch games, not semifinals, they have been to win a series, so guys will be doing their own things. Some guys will be on the Xbox, some guys will play golf, some will go to the cinema. So yes, doing what they normally do.
Q. You spoke about excitement, what about tension? Given how much England wants this title, do you feel that you will take on the expectations of the nation at all given where we are in the tournament at this point?
EOIN MORGAN: I think we have throughout the tournament and we have thoroughly enjoyed it. The support we have had throughout the tournament has been unbelievable and certainly something I have never experienced in my life. The amount of good faith and goodwill going around is fantastic, so we sense the support that's with us, but also the opportunity as well.
Q. Just wondering about the Australian team selections and whether you take any notice of the fact that Justin Langer has said Peter Handscomb is playing and the rumours about Matt Wade, do you take them at face value, or do you think the Australians are playing games?
EOIN MORGAN: I will wait for the toss tomorrow.
ManFan
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One overrated team of chokers gone, one more to go.
Deewana
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who ever wins this wins the world cup
Sherlock
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I take everything I said about NZ not making the final. What a great country with a huge heart.
TNAmarkFromIndia
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What are the chances we get a rematch of the 2015 ICC World Cup final?
India and England were the favorites going into this World Cup amd both reached the semi-finals, but with one of those teams eliminated now, what do you think are the chances that we instead get a rematch of the 2015 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand instead?
India and England were the favorites going into this World Cup amd both reached the semi-finals, but with one of those teams eliminated now, what do you think are the chances that we instead get a rematch of the 2015 World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand instead?
Ashraful_Rox
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Don't want Australia, they have 5 world cups already. Hope Nz wins it
sweep_shot
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Come on, Aussies. Time to win 6th title. I always loved Aussies.
szundercover
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Where are the guys who were saying it will be an england vs india final?
hb787
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Time for other chokers to get out.
The_Odd_One
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England are due a win against Australia in this world cup. They have already lost a practice match and a a group match to Australia. The law of averages will work in their favor.
England, in my opinion, are favorites to lift the trophy. Win the semi-final and win the world cup. New Zealand reaching the final has made it easier for England.
England, in my opinion, are favorites to lift the trophy. Win the semi-final and win the world cup. New Zealand reaching the final has made it easier for England.
Majestic_Inzi
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bet its a flat wicket tomorrow, i'd prefer it that way anyway.
Majestic_Inzi
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now eng are definite favorites for the world cup just hope they dont choke.
hafeezrocks
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Ben Stokes says England's World Cup semi-final against Australia is 'biggest game of career'
Ben Stokes says he is treating England's World Cup semi-final against Australia as the most important game of his career.
The England all-rounder is no stranger to the big stage, turning out for his country on 166 occasions across all formats and memorably stepping up to bowl the final over of the World T20 final in front of 66,000 fans in 2016.
On that occasion, things did not go to plan, with West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite snatching an unlikely victory by clubbing Stokes for four sixes in a row, but Thursday's game at Edgbaston is a chance for England to reach a World Cup final at Lord's in pursuit of a trophy they have unsuccessfully been chasing for 44 years.
Asked if the game against Australia will be the biggest he has experienced, Stokes said: "Yes, to date. Definitely.
"It's a massive occasion for us as players and as a nation. Playing against Australia is a big occasion - in any sport. The rivalry goes way back and we have the Ashes this summer too. Beating them is that touch better than any other team.
"I've had a few days off and got out of the bubble but when you come back to the team you get those butterflies again."
https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...l-against-australia-is-biggest-game-of-career
So contrary to what some English fans suggest, some English Cricketers consider WC as the biggest game for them.
Ben Stokes says he is treating England's World Cup semi-final against Australia as the most important game of his career.
The England all-rounder is no stranger to the big stage, turning out for his country on 166 occasions across all formats and memorably stepping up to bowl the final over of the World T20 final in front of 66,000 fans in 2016.
On that occasion, things did not go to plan, with West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite snatching an unlikely victory by clubbing Stokes for four sixes in a row, but Thursday's game at Edgbaston is a chance for England to reach a World Cup final at Lord's in pursuit of a trophy they have unsuccessfully been chasing for 44 years.
Asked if the game against Australia will be the biggest he has experienced, Stokes said: "Yes, to date. Definitely.
"It's a massive occasion for us as players and as a nation. Playing against Australia is a big occasion - in any sport. The rivalry goes way back and we have the Ashes this summer too. Beating them is that touch better than any other team.
"I've had a few days off and got out of the bubble but when you come back to the team you get those butterflies again."
https://www.skysports.com/cricket/n...l-against-australia-is-biggest-game-of-career
So contrary to what some English fans suggest, some English Cricketers consider WC as the biggest game for them.
RameezRambo_Fan
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Australia NZ final. Rematch of 2015. It's done.
szundercover
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I want England to win this game so that interest in cricket will increase in england and the level of affection can be on par as that of football.
bluevision
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Go England, only because cricket deserves a new champion. Hopefully NZ.
Justcrazy
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They are all Champions , Until the real Champions arrive 
Aussies will win there 6th Title.
Aussies will win there 6th Title.
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Weather looks good for tomorrow - England have the edge in my view.
IAJ
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Come on Poms, let’s send these overrated Aussies back to down under! Go Morgan, smash Starc so KP can shut his big mouth closed!
Majestic_Inzi
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will be 59m boundary one side and 82m on the other. 
)
do you think they will chance it with the likes of Aus?
)do you think they will chance it with the likes of Aus?
90MPH
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Toss might decide it. Bat first score and 300
AZulfi
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Australia has not lost any of their 7 previous World Cup semi-finals. An unbelievable feat. They rarely lose KO games. If they win tomorrow's game it will be 8 semi-final wins out of 8. England may have home advantage but Australia has psychological edge over the former in pressure games or games that really matter.
Australia has won 4 of the last 5 world cups in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. They missed out in 2011 (India). Their other win was in 1987
I don’t think such amazing consistency has ever been achieved by any team in any other major team sport. Not by Brazil (5 wins. It is spread over many decades), Italy (4) or Germany (4) in soccer; Not by Pakistan (4 wins), Australia (3), Netherlands (3) or Germany (2) in men's hockey etc.
I'm talking purely of world cups here..
Australia has won 4 of the last 5 world cups in 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. They missed out in 2011 (India). Their other win was in 1987
I don’t think such amazing consistency has ever been achieved by any team in any other major team sport. Not by Brazil (5 wins. It is spread over many decades), Italy (4) or Germany (4) in soccer; Not by Pakistan (4 wins), Australia (3), Netherlands (3) or Germany (2) in men's hockey etc.
I'm talking purely of world cups here..
Inswinging Yorker
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I really hope England makes it to the final, New Zealand or England to lift the cup, new Zealand my first choice.
Ashraful_Rox
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Australia is going to win it easily. But seriously we need a new champion. Hope Aussies lose
Harsh Thakor
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This is in terms of man to man strength the closest contest between 2 Teams in a semi-final in a World Cup after SouthAfrica-Australia in 1999 .There is the great Australian mental resilience and professionalism against the top class balance and organisation of England.Australia are virtually invincible in a semi final but Ben defeated in finals.I feel their last defeat versus South Africa counts against them but they may not have been at their best.It is certainly not an all time great Australian team but arguably the best Enishvworld cup team ever.Only 1992 English team compared to this one.Australia were far better in 1999,2003 and 2007 having more fragile batting and bowling.
Harsh Thakor
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Never in World Cup history have the same 2 teams qualified for the final in successive editions.So history may go against Australia.
Mate we produced the back to back wins under pressure to stay in the tournie including against the best bowling attack in the Tournament
Haha
sweep_shot
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If Aussies win this, they should win final too. NZ generally has a mental block against Aussies.
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