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Aussie left-armers destroy England in 2019 Cricket World Cup clash at Lord’s

Ash Barty was on hand to celebrate after Aussie pacemen destroyed England at Lord’s | SCORECARD

Jacquelin MagnayJacquelin Magnay
@jacquelinmagnay
25 min read
6:43PMJune 25, 2019.
Updated 2:33PMJune 26, 2019
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Jason Behrendorff holds up the ball after taking his fifth wicket in Australia’s World Cup victory over England at Lord’s. Picture: Getty Images
Jason Behrendorff holds up the ball after taking his fifth wicket in Australia’s World Cup victory over England at Lord’s. Picture: Getty Images

AUSTRALIA 7-285 (Finch 100, Warner 53, Woakes 2-46) defeated ENGLAND 221 (Stokes 89, Behrendorff 5-44, Starc 4-43) at Lord’s.

Australia’s left arm pacemen destroyed England from the very first ball of the England chase in a calculated exploitation of the sloping Lord’s wicket and the soggy conditions.

Australia’s tactics worked a treat, demoralising England’s top order and elevating Australia straight to the top of the world cup table and a certain semifinal position.

Australia’s emphatic victory overnight, beating old foes England by a comfortable 64 runs, was established with a fine century by captain Aaron Finch and the slashing finale of Alex Carey. But the victory was cemented with the superb bowling combination of left armers Jason Behrendorff and Mitchell Starc who demolished the England batsmen with a magnificent clutch of nine wickets.

In just his second world cup match Behrendorff, 29, relished the swinging conditions, claiming 5/44 off his 10 overs including the first wicket off the second ball and then the final three wickets in his last three overs.

Underscoring the extent of his breakthrough, Behrendorff had only claimed eight wickets in seven previous one day internationals.

Behrendorff described it as a dream to be handed the new ball.

”You don’t play cricket for the accolades, but to play at Lord’s and to get five (wickets) was special,’’ he said.

He said the team had seen England struggle with their deliveries and so the bowlers made a conscious decision to deliver a fuller ball.

”We executed that quite well. To get three wickets in the first 10 overs was very important,’’ he said.

Starc wasn’t overshadowed either, finishing with 4/43, but he denied a social media post of his wife Alyssa Healey that a sledge from an Englishman at breakfast had fired him up.

“Someone was having a go at my strapping tape and my bowling ... I was just hungry,” he said .

”He had a bit of a clip at me, all good fun, I was still half asleep, so didn’t think much of it.’’

New world no.1 tennis player and former Women's Big Bash League cricketer Ashleigh Barty enjoys Australia's victory over England at Lord's. Picture: Andre Mauger.
New world no.1 tennis player and former Women's Big Bash League cricketer Ashleigh Barty enjoys Australia's victory over England at Lord's. Picture: Andre Mauger.

England struggled with the fearsome attack seemingly coming at them from all angles as the swinging conditions, pace and bounce of the left-armers quickly destroyed their momentum.

England had won the toss and elected to field because the green pitch and overcast conditions offered plenty of ball movement.

But the hosts and pre-tournament favourites are now struggling to make the final four after losing to Australia, Sri Lanka and Pakistan in the rounds, and will have to win their remaining two games — against New Zealand and India — to claw ahead of Pakistan, Sri Lanka or Bangladesh. At this stage only Australia and New Zealand are confirmed semifinalists.

Behrendorff took out the middle stump of James Vince on the first ball of the England batting innings as the hosts chased Australia’s tally of 285. That superb storming in-swinger immediately set a cracking tone for the Australians’ bowling attack and was quickly followed by Starc’s early double.

Firstly Starc snared Joe Root lbw for just eight runs and shortly afterwards captured captain Eoin Morgan caught by Cummins for four.

And then, just as the England tally ticked over 50, Behrendorff struck again, capturing the prime wicket of Jonny Bairstow, again caught by Cummins, for 27.

Ash Barty at Lords with the Australian cricket team. Picture: Andre Mauger
Ash Barty at Lords with the Australian cricket team. Picture: Andre Mauger

That meant the four top England runmakers were in the pavilion inside 14 overs.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey had a bird’s eye view of the action.

”We wanted to get early wickets and in-swing it and he (Behrendorff) is a pretty good template to go by. He’s a nice swing bowler and today’s conditions suited him I reckon.’’

The all-rounder Ben Stokes established some stability to the innings, but it came at the cost of an initial slower run rate. Mid innings Stokes started to unleash, with successive sixes off Glen Maxwell and then much later off Cummins. But Stokes was running out of partners. After Bairstow’s dismissal, Buttler was tempted by a Marcus Stoinis delivery and was caught on the boundary by a nice Usman Khawaja catch.

Then when Starc was reintroduced into the attack, he immediately sharpened the ferocity of deliveries and unleashed a terrific inswinging yorker to clean bowl Stokes for 89. At that point Starc was 3/31 and England was 6/177 with 12 overs remaining and their world cup campaign in tatters.

Not to be outdone Behrendorff then made short work of Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes and then Jofra Archer.

One fielding highlight was Woake’s dismissal where Maxwell caught the ball on the boundary, but he had to quickly throw the ball to Finch as he jumped over the boundary rope.

Finch, who had helped set up the win with a fine battings knock of 100, said after the match that he gave Behrendorff the new ball after researching the England top order.

He said: ’’We were doing a bit of research into match ups, we do it in T20 and it is all relevant to one day cricket as well. We felt with Jason it was good match up against the England top order.’’

Aaron Finch celebrates his century against England at Lord’s. Picture: Getty Images
Aaron Finch celebrates his century against England at Lord’s. Picture: Getty Images

Finch added that between the 30 and 40 over mark that Australia was losing too many wickets and then going into the back end with too many down.

“It was not an easy wicket to come in on, at the start of the innings it was tough,’’ he said, having put together an opening partnership of 123 with David Warner before Warner was out on 53.

Apart from that opening stanza, the batting highlight was Carey who contributed a fine flourish of 38 off 27 balls to flatter Australia’s final tally.

Finch said “we are going nicely’’, and said qualifying for the semifinals with two games in hand meant there would be further opportunities to improve.

”There are areas we have to brush up on, it was not a perfect game, but rarely do the expectations match the reality,’’ he said.

Daniel Sankey 3am: WICKET! Australia win by 64 runs

Mitchell Starc gets the final wicket of the match, with Adil Rashid caught by Marcus Stoinis in the covers for 25 (20 deliveries). England is all out for 221 in 44.4 overs, still 64 runs shy of Australia’s total of 7-285.

The Aussie left-arm quicks were the destroyers of the England innings, taking nine wickets between them. Jason Behrendorff managed a career-best 5-44 from his 10 overs, while Mitchell Starc was brilliant throughout with 4-43 from 8.4 overs. However, it was the opening partnership between man-of-the-match Aaron Finch (100) and David Warner (53) which again set the platform for the Aussies.

Victory this morning secures Australia a spot in the World Cup semi-finals — all that now remains is whether they can go on to finish in top spot. To do that, they’ll need to secure a convincing victory over New Zealand on Sunday night (AEST) and ensure they don’t stumble against South Africa on Saturday, July 6.

Daniel Sankey 2.55am: WICKET! Behrendorff gets five

Australian players swamp Jason Behrendorff as he gets his first five-wicket haul in an ODI with the scalp of Jofra Archer. Behrendorff enticed Archer into the drive and David Warner took a comfortable catch at long-off. Archer goes for 1 and Australia is just one wicket away from a berth in the World Cup semi-finals. Behrendorff now has the figures of 5-44 as he completes his 10th and final over.

Daniel Sankey 2.46am: WICKET! Maxwell, Finch combine for catch

Some brilliant work in the field sees Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Finch combine to dismiss Chris Woakes (26 off 34 deliveries) off the bowling of Jason Behrendorff, who now has 4-37 off 8.3 overs. Woakes went down on one knee in a bid to slog sweep Behrendorff over the midwicket boundary, but he can’t quite go the distance and Maxwell leaps to take the catch above his head just inside the boundary line. Just before he falls over the rope, he’s able to toss the ball back to Aaron Finch to complete the dismissal.

England are now 7-202 in the 42nd over with Jofra Archer the next man in.

Daniel Sankey 2.37am: WICKET! Behrendorff gets a third

Talk about a nice comeback from Jason Behrendorff. The left-armer is brought back into the attack in the 40th over and he’s greeted with a lofted cover drive for four by Moeen Ali.

Unperturbed, Behrendorff gets the very next delivery to jag away off a good length and it catches the outside edge, wicketkeeper Alex Carey taking a simple catch.

England are now 7-189 as Adil Rashid comes to the wicket to join Chris Woakes (22 not out off 29 deliveries). Behrendorff now has 3-35 from 8 overs, and is only just being shaded for best bowling figures by Mitchell Starc 3-32 from 7 overs.

Daniel Sankey 2.23am: WICKET! Starc bowls Stokes

Mitchell Starc produces arguably the best yorker of this World Cup to get the vital wicket of Ben Stokes for 89 (114 deliveries). With Stokes on fire, it was going to take a special delivery to get him out and Starc produced exactly that ... a full delivery that swung into the stumps, sneaking under Stokes’ bat and hitting the outside of off stump.

England are now 6-177, still needing 109 runs to win, with Chris Woakes on 18 not out (25 deliveries). Moeen Ali is the new batsman.

Daniel Sankey 2.16am: Stokes throws everything at Australia

Win, lose or draw today, one thing is for certain — England all-rounder Ben Stokes is right up there with the very best players in the world.

As Aaron Finch turns to Pat Cummins for a breakthrough, Stokes has turned on the afterburners, attacking the paceman at every opportunity. He’s moved to 88 not out with England at 5-173 after 36 overs.

The equation is still extremely difficult for England — 113 runs from 84 deliveries — but with Stokes at the wicket, it’s gettable.

Heading into the 37th over, Finch now calls on Mitchell Starc to take the ball in the chase for a potentially match-sealing breakthrough.

Jacquelin Magnay 1.44am: WICKET! Buttler caught

Is this it? England fans think so, with a collective sigh of dismay around the ground as Jos Buttler is caught on the short boundary by Usman Khawaja off the bowling off Marcus Stoinis.

Buttler scored 25 off 27 balls, but crucially had supported Stokes’s innings, which has moved past 50.

The score is now 5-124 in the 27th over and Chris Woakes has joined Stokes in the middle.

Jacquelin Magnay 1.38am: Stokes cramps up

There is a halt in play as Ben Stokes is prostrate on the ground while the team physiotherapist works on his calves. Meanwhile, Stokes is trying to ignore the pain, gobbling a banana to help ward off cramp.

Jacquelin Magnay 1.30am: Stokes holding England together

Ben Stokes is playing a contained innings here and brings up England’s 100 (135 deliveries) with a smart boundary. For England, the run rate is secondary to keeping the partnership going so that there can be a slashing finale.

1.20am: Review lost by Australia

1.13am: Stokes, Buttler fight on

Jacquelin Magnay 12.46am: DRINKS — England 4-53

At 4-53, it’s really hard to see England clawing their way back from here. West Australian left-armer Jason Behrendorff is on fire, claiming his second wicket at the cost of 27 runs off 6.5 overs. The wicket brings an early drinks break.

Daniel Sankey 12.43am: WICKET! Bairstow caught in the deep

Jason Behrendorff has a second wicket, with big-hitting Jonny Bairstow (27 from 39 deliveries) caught at deep midwicket by Patrick Cummins. England are now in dire straits at 4-53, still needing 233 for victory with 36.1 overs remaining. The not out batsman is Ben Stokes (12, 26 deliveries), with wicketkeeper Jos Buttler the next man in.

Jacquelin Magnay 12.35am: Not much love for the Aussies at Lord’s

I have just been for a walk around Lord’s and English fans aren’t too welcoming when they hear an Aussie accent. Unbelievably, those in the Tavener stand are still optimistic they can pull off an improbable win at this point — at least until Jonny Bairstow succumbs.

England’s fans are already fearing a resurgent Australia for the Ashes and from being cock-a-hoop about their one-day form a month ago are heading to the Lord’s bars to drown their sorrows.

Actor Damien Lewis (right), singer Ed Sheeran (centre) and Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, are among the crowd at Lord’s for the England-Australia World Cup clash. Picture: Getty Image
Actor Damien Lewis (right), singer Ed Sheeran (centre) and Prince Edward, the Earl of Wessex, are among the crowd at Lord’s for the England-Australia World Cup clash. Picture: Getty Image

Daniel Sankey 12.04am: WICKET! Starc outfoxes Morgan

Eoin Morgan is on his way, with Mitchell Starc suckering the England captain into a hook shot that he can only top edge and send straight down the throat of Pat Cummins at fine leg.

Morgan goes for 4 (7 deliveries) and England are 3-26 after 6 overs.

Starc needs to be congratulated for what looks to be a well-laid plan. His first ball to the England captain was a sharp bouncer that Morgan had to fend away from his ribs. Starc then lured him forward with a fuller delivery before throwing in another short ball that extracted the error.

Daniel Sankey 11.51pm: WICKET! Starc snares Root

England dangerman Joe Root is gone, trapped plumb LBW by Mitchell Starc, who follows the blueprint set by Jason Behrendorff’s first over as he gets one to swing back into the right-hander.

Root looks up the other end at Jonny Bairstow to question whether he should review, but Bairstow has no good news for the England no.3 who shakes his head in disappointment as he trudges off the field having made 8 from just 9 deliveries. Bairstow is 7 not out (10 deliveries) and England captain Eoin Morgan is the next man in with England on 2-15 in the fourth over.

Daniel Sankey 11.35pm: WICKET! Behrendorff strikes

Australian captain Aaron Finch somewhat surprisingly gives the new ball to Jason Behrendorff, but that decision proves to be inspired as the left-armer shapes one back into James Vince and clean bowls him.

It was the perfect delivery, almost unplayable as the ball swung from off to middle and went straight through the gate.

Joe Root finds himself coming to the wicket for the third ball of the innings, joining Jonny Bairstow. Root gets off the mark with a boundary on the final ball of the over, but it was a half chance — a cut shot just eluding Glenn Maxwell at gully.

Jacquelin Magnay 11.25pm: Finch speaks of his disappointment

Austrralian captain Aaron Finch said at the end of the Australian innings that he was ruing the loss of his wicket immediately after scoring his 100.

“To get out straight after a hundred is never ideal,” he said.

But as for Australia’s total?

“I think there is enough in the wicket. It is still a pretty good score,” he said.

“It wasn’t the easiest wicket to start on. The ball was moving for the seamer. We were conscious to get through that and were able to. We could have got a few more runs but we have got to defend it regardless.”

Jacquelin Magnay 11.15pm: Australia’s frustrating 285

Australia has presented England with 285 to beat after a most frustrating innings that saw the openers survive a torrid bowling attack by England, but a failure of the middle order to push the score along.

The match appears finely poised and the pressure is now on the Australian quicks Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins and spin king Nathan Lyon to get some early wickets.

The Australian batting was once again sparked by Aaron Finch, relishing the captaincy role as he led from the front to settle in David Warner after a skittish start.

Aaron Finch celebrates after scoring his century. Picture: Getty Images
Aaron Finch celebrates after scoring his century. Picture: Getty Images

Finch raced to a neat century off 115 balls in front of a vocal sell-out Lord’s crowd that included Australia’s world number one tennis player Ash Barty and the England football manager Gareth Southgate.

Finch celebrated his second ton of the World Cup series when Chris Woakes misfielded, but Woakes made no mistake catching Finch at fine leg off the bowling of Jofra Archer on the very next ball. At the time of Finch’s dismissal Australia was 3-185 and had looked to have overcome the disadvantage of facing some difficult early bowling and batting first on such a green wicket under overcast skies. But such optimism was short lived and the calibre of Finch’s innings was recalibrated when the rest of the batting order — apart from wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey — struggled to find any tempo and rhythm.

Alex Carey’s late hitting ensured Australia passed the 280 mark. Picture: AP
Alex Carey’s late hitting ensured Australia passed the 280 mark. Picture: AP

Indeed, Lady Luck shined on Australia throughout the morning’s play: Usman Khawaja survived a missed stumping when on seven; Finch was on 18 when dropped by James Vince, then on 19 when a close LBW shout was referred back as “umpire’s call”; similarly, Warner sustained a brace of air shots, and one where no shot was offered at all, just skimming the stumps.

But Australia’s openers grinded out the opening bowling onslaught as they notched their eighth half century partnership in this series.

It appeared England’s perceived advantage was thwarted by the mid-innings steadiness of the Warner-Finch combination ... so England captain Eoin Morgan was mightily relieved when the first wicket fell at 123 when Warner was caught by Joe Root off the spin bowling of Moeen Ali.

As has been the custom for this series, Warner was roundly booed as he left for the dressing room, with the crowd’s cries marrying with those supporting Root. Remember the 2013 Walkabout bar run-in between Warner and Root? This crowd certainly hasn’t forgotten.

Steve Smith looked reliable until, on 38, he skewed the ball sky high towards long on and was caught by Archer running in from the boundary.

Australia’s Steve Smith walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal. Picture: AFP
Australia’s Steve Smith walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal. Picture: AFP

A couple of the Australian wickets were relinquished prematurely. Glen Maxwell was exhilarating — for one over. He smashed a six and a boundary in his short appearance of 12 before caught behind by Jos Buttler.

Khawaja couldn’t cope with the pace of Ben Stokes and was clean bowled on 23, Marcus Stoinis was run out for 8, ending up at the same end as Smith when attempting a second run. Australia has had six run outs in the series — twice the number of any other team — reflecting the team’s aggressive running but also some troubled communications.

Carey moved the score along in the final overs, smashing an unbeaten 38 off 27 balls and Australia added 22 to the score in the final two overs to finish 7/285.

Daniel Sankey 11.05pm: Australia make 7-285

Thanks to some brilliant late strokemaking from wicketkeeper Alex Carey (38 not out from 27 deliveries), Australia have scrambled to 7-285 from their 50 overs.

They’ll feel like they should have made at least another 30 or 40 runs at Lord’s today after a 123-run opening stand from Aaron Finch (100) and David Warner (53). The rest of Australia’s top order got starts but failed to go on with it, with Steve Smith (38) and Usman Khawaja (23) the chief offenders.

10.51pm: WICKET! Cummins caught behind

Jacquelin Magnay 10.49pm: Smith booed as he departs

If there were any calls for decorum at Lord’s, the spectators havent heard. Steve Smith (38) departs to deafening boos as he leaves the ground after being caught by Jofra Archer off the bowling of Chris Woakes.

Will Australia get to 300? They’re being squeezed. With 18 deliveries remaining in the innings, the Aussies are 6-259. Alex Carey is 17 not out (16 deliveries) and Pat Cummins is 1 not out (3 deliveries).

Daniel Sankey 10.41pm: WICKET! Smith holes out

Chris Woakes gets the crucial wicket of Steve Smith, who tries to spank one over the long-on boundary but doesn’t get enough on it, presenting Jofra Archer with a simple catch well inside the boundary.

Smith goes for 38 (34 deliveries) and Australia are 6-250 in the 46th over.

Jacquelin Magnay 10.22pm: WICKET! Stoinis run out

How did two Australian batsmen end up at the same end? Marcus Stoinis bolts for a second run as Steve Smith holds his ground at the non-striker’s end. What an easy run out. Stoinis has to go for 8 (15 deliveries) with Australia now 5-228 after 42 overs.

Daniel Sankey 10.08pm: WICKET! Maxwell gone for 12

Glenn Maxwell is absolutely furious with himself. After smashing a huge six and another boundary on his way to 12 from just seven deliveries, he waves his bat at a short, wide delivery from Mark Wood and gets a feather edge that’s taken gleefully by England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler.

If it can be regarded as a huge missed opportunity for Maxwell, it can also be regarded as a huge opportunity taken by England, who are now right back in this match with Australia on 4-213 in the 39th over. If they can restrict Australia to a total of less than 300, they’ll rightly be favourites to win this match.

Jacquelin Magnay 10.02pm: Finch’s fine tournament

For a brief moment, it appeared that Aaron Finch was in such impervious form he would seamlessly repeat his memorable 153 knock at The Oval against Sri Lanka — taking advantage of anything that was loose.

But it wasn’t to be. Finch had settled in after a jittery first few overs here at Lord’s: he was on 18 when dropped by James Vince, then on 19 when a close lbw was referred back as ‘’umpire’s call’’

He brought up his ton off 115 balls from a misfield with 11 boundaries and two sixes,

Finch’s tournament tally now reads: 66, 6, 36, 82, 153, 53, and 100.

Daniel Sankey 9.55pm: Hundred for Finch ... then out

Talk about the highs and lows of cricket. After bringing up his second century of this World Cup courtesy of an England misfield, Aaron Finch is dismissed the very next delivery when he gets a top edge off a Jofra Archer bouncer. and is caught by Chris Woakes at fine leg. Finch has to go for 100 (116 deliveries) and Glenn Maxwell comes to the crease with Australia on 3-185 in the 36th over.

Jacquelin Magnay 9.42pm: Boos, jeers greet Smith

At 2-173, the next few overs will be critical to how Australia’s final tally ends up. Usman Khawaja, who survived a missed stumping when on seven, had brought up a 50 partnership with Aaron Finch (92no), who continues to look solid in the middle.

Steve Smith comes to the wicket and the ground almost shakes with the high intensity of the booing and jeering from the pro-England crowd. That’s the loudest condemnation heard in the series so far.

Daniel Sankey 9.37pm: WICKET! Khawaja bowled

Usman Khawaja’s innings comes to an end on 23 as he plays all around a Ben Stokes delivery that moved from leg to off and is bowled. Australia are now 2-173 after 32.2 overs, with Steve Smith coming to the ground amid a chorus of boos from England fans at Lords.

At the other end, Australian captain Aaron Finch (92no, 104 deliveries) is closing in on a well-deserved century.

Jacquelin Magnay 9.10pm: Warner wicket vital for England

David Warner’s dismissal is a big breakthrough for England, who should have had a few wickets by now, given the number of close calls they have had. But Warner settled in after surviving the torrid start by England’s bowlers.

As the graphic below shows, Warner’s ability to quickly accelerate once past 60 runs has been a feature of his batting at this World Cup.

David Warner's acceleration once he passes 50 at this World Cup has been outstanding. Picture: Fox Sports
David Warner's acceleration once he passes 50 at this World Cup has been outstanding. Picture: Fox Sports

Daniel Sankey 9.04pm: WICKET! Moeen snares Warner

England spinner Moeen Ali gets one to bounce more than David Warner expected, and his attempt to guide one into the offside for a single lobs softly into the hands of Joe Root at short backward point.

Warner goes for 53 (61 deliveries) and Australia are 1-123 in the 23rd over. For Australia, there’s no change of the batting order, with Usman Khawaja making his way to the middle to join Aaron Finch, who’s on 65 not out.

Daniel Sankey 8.57pm: 50 up for Finch, Warner

Australian captain Aaron Finch gets a bit of luck as he drives uppishly but picks the gap between two fielders for two runs off the bowling Moeen Ali. That’s his 50 up off just 61 balls, and David Warner follows suit in the very next over as he takes a single off Adil Rashid to move to 50 not out from 52 deliveries.

After 20 overs, Australia have transformed themselves from the hunted into the hunters, moving along to 0-110 at a run rate of 5.50 per owner.

Daniel Sankey 8.44pm: When the going gets tough...

...the tough get going, and none have been tougher today than Aaron Finch and David Warner. In difficult conditions for batting, they’ve powered Australia along to 0-83 at the drinks break. That’s Australia’s highest men’s ODI opening stand at Lord’s and it puts them in a perfect position to push for a total in excess of 300.

Daniel Sankey 8.31pm: Aussies increase the tempo

The shackles come off in the 14th over of the innings, with both Aaron Finch and David Warner finding the boundary as they take 12 runs from Mark Wood.

The Australian run rate goes past 5 per over as they move to 0-71, with Finch on 37 (49 deliveries) and Warner on 29 (35).

England captain Eoin Morgan needs a wicket ... and he’s turned immediately to star all-rounder Ben Stokes, who’ll bowl the next over.

Jacquelin Magnay 8.20pm: Finch, Warner hanging in

Australia has struggled to 0-50 after 12 overs, but importantly the opening pair of Aaron Finch and David Warner have survived a plethora of raised arms, appeals and a couple of near-catches in the first ten overs at Lord’s.

The two have looked unsettled at the crease as England’s quicks have found plenty of movement on the green wicket but the Australians will be pleased to have not lost a wicket.

Finch was the aggressor early as Warner has looked most uncomfortable initially, but if they can last another 10 overs they will have done a sterling job.

Finch copped a nasty knock on his hip bone, with the dressing room showing some concern, but the next ball he smashed a boundary.

Finch is on 25 not out (39 deliveries) and Warner is on 22 not out (33 deliveries).

Jacquelin Magnay 8.13pm: Aussie batsmen, fans feel the pressure

Daniel Sankey 7.59pm: Another fright for Finch

A big shout for LBW from Chris Woakes against Aaron Finch is turned down by the umpire. England captain Eoin Morgan calls for the review after just a moment’s discussion, but the replay shows the ball was only just flicking the bails and the not out decision stands.

Three balls later there’s a big shout for caught behind on David Warner, but the umpire is unmoved. Replays show it was the correct decision, the ball just flicking the thigh on the way through to the wicketkeeper.

Jacquelin Magnay 7.42pm: Tough going for Finch, Warner

Hold onto your hats, the first few overs shows lots of ball movement, and some slightly miscalculated batting.

Aaron Finch clipped the second ball in the first over, fortunately skying it over the outstretched hands of Joe Root at second slip, for a boundary.

Then David Warner, with three slips in position, was nearly bowled on the leg stump as he left a Chris Woakes delivery that seamed back. There’s been a swing and miss too.

The openers are trying to settle in against some torrid bowling.

Australia’s David Warner defends against England at Lord’s. Picture: AP
Australia’s David Warner defends against England at Lord’s. Picture: AP

Daniel Sankey 7.33pm: Early fright for Aussies

It took just two balls for the Australian batsman to offer up the first chance of the match. Aaron Finch gets a thick edge to a full delivery from Chris Woakes and Joe Root just fails to take the catch, getting a finger to it as it sails over his head and runs to the boundary for four. There’s an LBW shout on the third ball of the over, but it’s clearly going down the legside. Finch then gets one away on the off-side for a single and David Warner watchfully leaves the next two. Australia 0-7 with Finch on 5 not out and Warner yet to get off the mark.

Jacquelin Magnay 7.15pm: Toss loss a setback for Aussies

“I would have bowled if I’d won the toss but I’m not too disappointed.’’

That could prove to be a big understatement from Australian captain Aaron Finch after yet another coin toss loss.

Given the conditions, the ball will have plenty of movement in it early.

Not unexpectedly given the conditions here, Australia have brought in Nathan Lyon and added Jason Behrendorff at the expense of Adam Zampa and Nathan Coulter-Nile.

England named Jofra Archer despite a late scare about a torn side muscle, but have also included Moeen Ali. England captain Eoin Morgan said the pitch had “the potential to do a little bit this morning”.

Daniel Sankey 7.05pm: England win toss, bowl

England has won the toss and will bowl first in the World Cup match against Australia at Lord’s.

England captain Eoin Morgan had no hesitation opting to take the ball, with some overnight rain expected to provide a bit of early juice for their fast bowlers.

Australian captain Aaron Finch — who said Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Lyon would come into the team for Nathan Coulter-Nile and Adam Zampa — has now lost six out of seven tosses at this World Cup.

“I still wasn’t quite sure what to do. I would have bowled if I’d won the toss but I’m not too disappointed batting, we’ll wait and see what it plays like,” Finch said.

AUSTRALIA XI: Warner, Finch (c), Khawaja, Smith, Maxwell, Stoinis, Carey (wk), Cummins, Starc, Behrendorff, Lyon

ENGLAND XI: Vince, Bairstow, Root, Morgan (c), Stokes, Buttler (wk), Ali, Woakes, Archer, Rashid, Wood

Jacquelin Magnay 7pm: Australia v England preview

It’s hot (for London), the air is thick, the outfield soggy and the wicket green.

Welcome to Lord’s as England tries to rescue its rapidly collapsing World Cup ambitions and Australia deals with the inevitable booing and cheating chants from the stands.

This is the first official chance England, and its Barmy Army, have had to confront Australia since the cheating scandal in Cape Town 15 months ago, and England captain Eoin Morgan’s response to calm down the fans was given short shrift this week.

“I would never use the position I’m in to influence fans or try to change the game in some way,” Morgan told the BBC.

“[Steve Smith and David Warner] have committed something and they have served their penalty. It doesn’t necessarily mean they are welcomed back with open arms into the cricket community. Regaining trust takes a lot of time.

“Who knows how long it will take? I don’t think I could do anything, or should so anything, to try influence the fans to change their mind.”

Given the heavy conditions — it rained a week’s worth in an hour earlier today — both sides are expected to inject some spin.

It will be a surprise if Nathan Lyon remains on the sidelines and Liam Plunkett is tipped to come in for Moeen Ali in the England team.

England’s quick Jofra Archer has undergone a last minute fitness test after straining his side.

But the weather forecast is rosy: with only a 25 per cent chance of rain about an hour after the first ball and then clearing to a high of 24 degrees.

Australia sits in a strong position going into this match, sitting second on the ICC World Cup ladder with 10 points. England, who suffered shock losses to Sri Lanka and Pakistan are precariously placed in fourth position, with eight points from the six games.

An Australian win will propel the team to the top of the ladder and an England loss will put them in the previously unthinkable position of having to win their final two games to cement a top four semi-final spots.

Daniel Sankey 6.57pm: England’s struggles at home

Australia will take plenty of heart from England’s woeful recent record at the home of cricket as they prepare for tonight’s World Cup clash.

Almost unbelievably, England — the no.1 ranked team in ODI cricket — have lost 40% of their matches at Lord’s since the last World Cup.

6.45pm: Archer to fit take on Aussies

England quick Jofra Archer has passed a pre-match fitness test and will face Australia in Tuesday crunch World Cup clash at Lord’s tonight (from 7.30pm AEST).

After he failed to train on Monday due to tightness in his left side, Archer was forced to prove his fitness less than an hour before the toss today. The England camp has since confirmed the bowl-through was only precautionary and the 24-year-old will be right to play.

The opening bowler is a big part of England’s chances and is the tournament’s equal-leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps at 17.93.

England’s Jofra Archer, left, celebrates a wicket against Sri Lanka last week. Picture: AP
England’s Jofra Archer, left, celebrates a wicket against Sri Lanka last week. Picture: AP

He is yet to face Australia in an international match, but has been a star of the Big Bash League with Hobart Hurricanes.

The Barbados-born right-armer this week credited his stint at the Tasmanian- based franchise as playing a big part in opening his door to more global leagues.

Covers are off the pitch at Lord’s after heavy overnight rain, and at this stage there is not expected to be any delay to the start of the match.

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6.20pm: England’s Archer in doubt

England quick Jofra Archer is in doubt for tonight’s Cricket World Cup clash with Australia after suffering an injury to his side.

Archer is set to undergo a fitness test on the field at Lord’s just over an hour before the match, after failing to bowl at training yesterday. The opening bowler is a big part of England’s chances and is the tournament’s equal-leading wicket-taker with 15 scalps at 17.93.

England's Ben Stokes (right) helps teammate Jofra Archer stretch yesterday. Picture: AFP
England's Ben Stokes (right) helps teammate Jofra Archer stretch yesterday. Picture: AFP

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6.15pm: Morgan backs the booers

England captain Eoin Morgan won’t copy Virat Kohli by telling crowds to respect David Warner and Steve Smith, saying it’s up to fans to decide whether they want to accept the pair again.

Fan behaviour is again in the spotlight after England opener Jonny Bairstow accused Australia of hypocrisy on the matter in column for The Times.

Bairstow noted former Australia coach Darren Lehmann had told crowds to “give it to” Stuart Broad in the 2013-14 Ashes in the “hope he cries” and “goes home”.

“I’m sure it was not meant maliciously (by Lehmann in 2013) but for Australians then to say ‘do not boo these guys’ is interesting,” Bairstow wrote.

“It has to work both ways, it can’t just all be one way.”

Australia’s Steve Smith trains yesterday. Picture: AFP
Australia’s Steve Smith trains yesterday. Picture: AFP

Warner and Smith will tonight play their first official match against England since the ball-tampering scandal and 12-month bans, ahead of five Ashes Tests in August and September.

They were jeered throughout a warm-up match against the World Cup hosts in Southampton last month, with Smith even booed as he reached three figures. The pair has been generally well received over the past fortnight though, with India captain Kohli even telling his own fans to cheer the former Australian captain and vice-captain.

But Morgan will not follow suit, saying fans are within their rights to voice their opinions.

“You don’t know how sports fans are going to react. I think they are entitled to have their own view,” Morgan said.

“Just because punishment was handed out and the two guys served their punishment, doesn’t mean they are going to be accepted back into the cricket community straightaway with open arms. It will take time.”

Tonight’s match is at Lord’s which generally hosts a more respectful crowd — particularly among the members.

The Barmy Army won’t be on hand either, given tickets weren’t sold directly to the group for the World Cup.

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6pm: Aussies promising big things

Australia are on the verge of returning to their heyday of the early 2000s with their depth of their playing talent, World Cup captain Aaron Finch says. Australia’s world title defence are just one facet of the tour of England, with an Australia A one-day series being played concurrently and a four-day series to follow.

The A-squad have opened their account with two massive wins, with Matthew Wade starring with centuries in both games against counties.

Both opponents have lacked their full-strength bowling attacks, but Wade’s form comes after he hit more than 1000 runs in the Sheffield Shield last season. The performances haven’t gone unnoticed in the top squad, with Andrew Tye, Mitch Marsh and Ashton Agar also impressing with the ball.

“I think it’s a sign of the strength that we are building over the last couple of years,” Finch said.

“The depth of Australian cricket is starting to get back to what people call the heyday, the glory years of the early 2000s and times like that. When the competition underneath the men’s and women’s international team was so fiercely competitive; it’s starting to get back to that.”

Matthew Wade is in hot form for Australia A. Picture: Getty Images
Matthew Wade is in hot form for Australia A. Picture: Getty Images

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Jacquelin Magnay
Jacquelin MagnayEurope Correspondent

Jacquelin Magnay is the Europe Correspondent for The Australian, based in London and covering all manner of big stories across political, business, Royals and security issues. She is a George Munster and Walkley Award winning journalist with senior media roles in Australian and British newspapers. Before joining The Australian in 2013 she was the UK Telegraph’s Olympics Editor.

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