Cricket World Cup 2019: Australia has firepower, form to pile further pressure on England at Lord’s

Is England simply a frontrunning bully that is prone to crack when things get tight? Tonight will reveal plenty when they face Mitchell Starc and co on a greenish wicket, according to betting guru Jamie tate.

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Is England a smart cricket team?

We’ll find out in the next 19 days.

You don’t have to be Einstein to win the World Cup, but England’s implosion against Sri Lanka last Saturday could see it invited to star in the next Dumb & Dumber movie.

Mitchell Starc is sure to pose problems for the English batsmen.

Now England, the pre-tournament favourite, is under the pump just to qualify for the semi-finals.

“England are under a huge amount of pressure now,” former England captain Michael Vaughan said.

Tonight doesn’t get much bigger — England v Australia at Lord’s.

Is England a frontrunning bully that is prone to crack when things get tight?

England v Australia

Tuesday, June 25, Lord's, 7.30pm (EST)

World ODI rankings: England 1 (rating 123), Australia 4 (rating 110).

London weather forecast: showers, 25C

TAB odds: England $1.80, Australia $2.05

TV: Every match of the World Cup is LIVE and ad-break free during play on Fox Sports or live stream on Kayo Sports

Their four wins have been full of authority over South Africa (104 runs), Bangladesh (106 runs), West Indies (eight wickets) and Afghanistan (150 runs).

But when the opposition has shoved back, it’s been a different story. Pakistan (won by 14 runs) and Sri Lanka (20 runs) forced England into error.

A grassy and greenish pitch awaits. Australia’s two big, matchwinning fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins could be presented with perfect conditions.

England’s form is shaky and explosive opening batsman Jason Roy — who has an outstanding record against Australia — will miss again with a hamstring injury.

Australia to win in a thriller.

Joe Root holds the key to a big English total.

SUGGESTED BETS

1 unit on Australia at $2.05.

Australia’s form is better than England’s.

2 units on Mitchell Starc to take most wickets for Australia at $3.50.

As ever, this is a two-man contest between Starc (15 wickets this tournament) and Pat Cummins (11). Marcus Stoinis is next with six. Our two big quicks deliver more overs than their teammates and get to bowl in the two prime wicket-taking periods — the start and the death. Starc’s greater ability to hit the stumps and dismiss the tail gives him the edge here.

TAB odds (most wickets for Australia tonight): Mitchell Starc $3.50; Pat Cummins $4.25; Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jason Behrendorff, Adam Zampa $5; Nathan Lyon, Kane Richardson $5.50; Marcus Stoinis $6.50; Glenn Maxwell $8; Steven Smith $19.

WASH-UP

Game 31: Afghanistan v Bangladesh

1 unit on Shakib Al Hasan to top score for Bangladesh at $3.50.

Shakib was second top score with 51. Mushfiqur Rahim ($4.25) took the honours with 83 off 87 balls.

1 unit on Hashmatullah Shahidi to top score for Afghanistan at $4.25.

No.3 Hashmatullah made just 11. No.6 Samiullah Shinwari was best with an unbeaten 49. He was a $7.50 chance.

TOURNAMENT BALANCE: -4.53 units