World Cup 2019: England storm into their first final after defeating Australia
Australia vs England: Australia lose their first semi-final at World Cups as Jason Roy lifts England into the finals of World Cup 2019.
SEMI-FINAL 2: AUSTRALIA VS ENGLAND SCORECARD
England: 226-2 in 32.1 overs | Won by 8 wickets
Jason Roy: 85(65) | Joe Root: 49(46) | Pat Cummins: 1-34
Australia: 223-10 in 49 overs
Steve Smith: 85(119) | Chris Woakes: 3-20 | Adil Rashid: 3-54
Player of the Match: Chris Woakes
MATCH SUMMARY:
World Cup 2019, Australia vs England: Jason Roy smashes a blazing knock of 85(65) as he lifts England into their first World Cup final of the 21st century.
It was a completely dominating performance by England, who showed no signs of nerves while chasing a tricky target of 224 in 50 overs.
Earlier, batting first, Australia had a horrible start just like India the other day. It was Henry and Boult the other night, and it was Woakes and Archer today.
A stunning spell of fast bowling reduced Australia to 14-3 after 6.1 overs, and it was back to Australia’s man for big games, Steve Smith to remove Australia from the grave.
Steve Smith brought all his experience into place as he built a solid partnership with Alex Carry to lift Australia to 117-4 after 27.2 overs. However, a couple of more wickets found Australia tottering at 157-6 after 34.5 overs.
A see-saw battle continued as Starc and Smith then pulled Australia out of misery to 217-8. However, after losing Smith’s wicket on 217, Australia lost 3 quick wickets as they were eventually bundled out for just 223 in 49 overs.
THE CHASE
Defending 223, Australia needed early breakthroughs to put England under pressure. But, the champion England side showed no nerves of a semi-final as they literally ripped apart the Australian bowling line-up.
Mitchell Starc, Australia’s best bowler this season literally toyed as he gave 70 from his 9 overs.
Thanks to Jason Roy’s blazing knock of 85(65), England were cruising along in the chase. If not for the two wickets, England would have won this match with 10 wickets in hand.
Nevertheless, it was a stunning batting by the England team as they chased the target in just 32.1 overs with Morgan and Root remaining not out on 45*(39) and 49*(46) respectively.
So, happy scenes at the England camp, who at one stage were struggling to qualify for the semi-finals. But, Jason Roy’s return brought them luck as they ultimately made it to their first World Cup final of the 21st century.
Australia, meanwhile, lose their first semi-final at World Cups as their dominating run at World Cup takes a temporary pause.
CRUCIAL MOMENTS:
- Australia getting reduced to 14-3 inside 6 overs.
- Adil Rashid’s twin blow in the 28th over that changed the momentum of the game.
- Jos Buttler’s stunning throw to run out Steve Smith’s in the 48th over.
- Jason Roy’s hat-trick of sixes off Steve Smith in the 17th over.
ALSO READ: World Cup 2019, India vs New Zealand: Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni’s heroics goes in vain
Adesh Kothari is the founder of AK4Tsay1 Cricalytics.
Cricket to him is like what ‘Football is to Lionel Messi’, ‘Singing is to Lata Mangeshkar’, ‘Dancing is to Michael Jackson’, and what ‘Acting is to Clint Eastwood’.
Besides his effervescent love for Cricket, Adesh is an MBA by qualification.
