Cricket World Cup: Selection squeeze looms following Australia’s 33-run win over England

Australia has moved to within one win of booking a semi-final spot at the cricket World Cup after victory against England. But with two stars set to return, a selection squeeze is coming.

Mitch Marsh will rejoin the Australian side in Mumbai on Sunday night and be available for the side’s game against Afghanistan on Tuesday after the Aussies paid tribute to his late grandfather in a 33-run win over England at Narendra Modi Stadium on Saturday night.

The Aussies are also expecting to be able to call Glenn Maxwell who along with Marsh was unavailable for the win against England, for Tuesday’s match, from which a victory will lock up a semi-final spot with a game in hand.

Adam Zampa shot to the top of the World Cup’s leading wicket-taker table with a match-winning performance of 3-21 from 10 overs, complemented by a punchy 31 and an impressive outfield catch.

Ben Stokes threatened to again be the cause of Australia’s undoing but was removed by Zampa for 64 as the Aussies notched a fifth straight win to edge clear of New Zealand, Afghanistan and Pakistan, all of whom have four wins.

Pat Cummins and Marcus Stoinis celebrate a wicket against England. Picture: AFP Images

Australia wore black armbands in the field to mark the death of Marsh’s maternal grandfather, who died on Friday. Marsh left the Australian camp midweek to be with his family but had indicated he would return before tournament’s end.

Maxwell also slipped out of the side after being concussed in a bizarre golfing accident but he too should be ready to go against Afghanistan provided he passes the necessary checks.

It means a selection squeeze is coming, with Marnus Labuschagne – the batter long considered most vulnerable to eventually lose his spot when everyone was available – top-scoring with an anchoring 71 from 83 balls.

Australia could alternatively also opt to leave out all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and trust Marsh, and Travis Head to support Maxwell with the ball.

One man who is resigned to losing his position is Cameron Green, who marked an unexpected return to the XI with 47 from 52 balls as the Aussies built what proved to be a winning score.

Mark Wood interacts with David Warner after his dismissal during England’s failed run chase. Picture: Getty Images

Green went unused with the ball as Head and Stoinis were preferred to make up the overs Maxwell has generally been bowling.

Green said he was at peace with coming in and out of the XI.

“I think they’re straight back in. We’re obviously so excited to get Mitch back, and then obviously Maxi I think (the) eight-day protocol lands on the day he’s all good to go,” Green said.

“We want the best team out on the field and unfortunately I’m missing out.

“I’ve had no issue. I think it’s always been through the right selection call.”

Recap Australia’s innings below.

AUSTRALIAN INNINGS

11:27PM: AUSTRALIA ALL OUT FOR 286

The first innings has come to an end, with England in the box seat to claim just their second win of the Cricket World Cup, after getting Australia all out for 286.

Some solid late work, and some unconventional batting, from Adam Zampa and Mitchell Starc has helped the Aussies pull together some late boundaries and finish on a somewhat respectable score, but England will be happy to restrict Australia to under 300.

11PM: CUMMINS GONE

And just minutes after Stoinis walked off, skipper Pat Cummins follows him off after being caught by Dawid Malan, on the back of a smart field change from Jos Butler. Australia have now lost 3/24 in the last 5 overs, and find themselves 8-249 after 45 overs.

10:56PM: ENGLAND STRIKE AS CRUCIAL WICKETS FALL

Things aren’t looking too good for Australia right now, with England claiming the crucial wicket of Cameron Green. Green took a massive gamble, going to far across his wicket and leaving his wicket wide open for David Willey. The Aussies are well into the tail now, with skipper Pat Cummins making his way out there. And just two overs later, Marcus Stoinis followed him Green off the pitch, after being caught by Jonny Bairstow. Stoinis was threatening to unload on England, with back-to-back boundaries, before the third saw him out.

Australia are 7-243 after 44 overs.

9:59PM: AUSSIE COLLAPSE CONTINUES

He’s had arguably his best innings of the World Cup, but Marnus Labuschagne has finally fallen, after an expensive over from Mark Wood claimed the Australian on the final delivery. Marcus Stoinis comes in for Marnus, with Australia 5-178 after 33 overs.

9.45PM: GREEN THROWS BAT IN BIZARRE MOMENT

That will go down as one of the strangest balls of the World Cup.

Cameron Green tries to hook Mark Wood for six, looses grip on his bat and throws it in the direction of the square leg umpire.

The ball wen almost straight up and Wood was only a metre away from claiming a caught and bowled.

In the end, the bat went further than the ball.

He survives to continue the rebuild with Marnus Labuschagne.

After 31 overs, Australia is 4-162.

9.16PM: INGLIS GONE

Josh Inglis’ stay is a short one, out trying to reverse Adil Rashid over the in field.

All he could do was smack the ball straight to Moeen Ali at backward point.

Cameron Green’s chance arrives with Australia on the ropes.

“As far as I’m concerned, no need to play that shot,” says Ricky Ponting.

9.10PM: SMITH FALLS TO RASHID

Just as Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith’s steady partnership was going up a gear, Adil Rashid draws Smith into a false shot and has him caught for 44 off 52 balls.

Josh Inglis joins Labuschagne in the middle with Australia badly needing another big partnership.

“It's going to be a hard wicket to start on,” says Ricky Ponting in commentary.

8:51PM: AUSSIES FIND THEIR GROOVE

Australia is gradually building a nice partnership, but it has taken a while for Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to get the ball rolling, with Australia now 2-88 after 18 overs, after notching up a 50 partnership. The English are down a review, after going upstairs for an LBW appeal, but unlike their first review, this one was clearly missing the stumps.

8PM: WARNER HOLES OUT

Chris Woakes has done it again.

A slow ball does the trick, drawing David Warner into a false shot as he looks to go big.

Warner instead skies the ball to David Willey at backward square leg who completes a good catch.

Australia is 2-38 and the pressure is on Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne — two players who have had their spots in this line-up questioned.

7.54PM: PRAISE MARAIS ERAMUS

Umpire Marais Erasmus comes to the rescue by giving David Warner not out lbw off David Willey.

Jos Buttler asks for a review but it comes back umpire's call on height and Warner survives.

The initial suspicion was there was an inside edge but that wasn’t the case.

7.39PM: WOAKES END’S HEAD INNINGS

There’s one of the big wickets England wanted early.

Travis Head tries to guide a Chris Woakes delivery fine of the slip but only succeeds in angling it straight to Joe Root.

Australia is 1-11 in the second over and David Warner is yet to face a ball.

Originally published as Cricket World Cup: Selection squeeze looms following Australia’s 33-run win over England