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Australia v England: Live coverage of 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston

Australia won the toss, but that was about the only thing to go right as England handed out a shellacking.

Jacquelin MagnayJacquelin Magnay
@jacquelinmagnay
32 min read
2:30AMJuly 12, 2019.
Updated 10:34AMJuly 12, 2019
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England captain Eoin Morgan (left) and Joe Root (centre) celebrate their World Cup semi-final victory as Australian paceman Jason Behrendorff looks on. Picture: AP
England captain Eoin Morgan (left) and Joe Root (centre) celebrate their World Cup semi-final victory as Australian paceman Jason Behrendorff looks on. Picture: AP

AUSTRALIA 223 (Steve Smith 85, Alex Carey 46, Chris Woakes 3-20, Adil Rashid 3-54) defeated by ENGLAND 2-226 (Jason Roy 85, Joe Root 49no, Eoin Morgan 45no, Pat Cummins 1-34) after 32.1 overs.

A swaggering England has demolished Australia by eight wickets to progress through to their first world cup cricket final in a generation and will take on New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday.

To the joyous celebration of the English crowd, singing ‘’Cricket is Coming Home,’’ the match finished in steady rain as captain Eoin Morgan slammed a boundary for the winning runs with more than 100 balls remaining.

Australia’s ill-fortune was cemented within the first half-hour of play at Edgbaston with the shock loss of three early wickets, which disarmed the batting attack. If not for a considered innings by number three bat Steve Smith and newly promoted middle order batsman wicketkeeper Alex Carey, the result could have been even worse.

Captain Aaron Finch, who was out for a first ball duck, rued that Australia had played its worst game in the entire tournament against England/

‘’They were ultra aggressive, the damage done early with the ball, it sets you back. We dragged some momentum back, but we were totally outplayed all throughout the day, you can do an analysis of the ten overs, but we were just outplayed.’’

He added: We’ve made huge amount of progress, really proud how much hard work, but same time we came to win a semi-final and win a world cup, disappointing how it ended and put out one of our worst performances for the whole tournament.’’

After setting the home side a target of 224, being bowled out for 223 with seven balls of the innings remaining, the Australian quicks were unable to find much movement in the air and England’s openers set a cracking run rate with impunity.

The Australian loss should set alarm bells ringing for the upcoming Ashes series, even though the team achieved a lot more than what would have been expected a year ago.

However Finch said the high turnover of players between the white and red ball games meant there would be no psychological scars from this particular loss leading into the Ashes.

‘’No, I don’t think so (that England will have a psychological edge),’’ Finch said.

‘’There will be different players, a high turnover of players, 16 picked for the Ashes, half players may be turned over, you don’t carry baggage between formats.’’

Alex Carey needed stitches after copping a Jofra Archer bouncer in the chin. Pictures: Agencies
Alex Carey needed stitches after copping a Jofra Archer bouncer in the chin. Pictures: Agencies

Coach Justin Langer has spoken about how the shambles and loss of national trust following sandpaper-gate has meant the team had to regain their reputations with hard work and solid play. The team surprised many with strong performances in this World Cup, although the most recent loss to South Africa — initially put down to a glitch — turned out to be a warning sign.

Certainly, the captaincy of Aaron Finch, the reliability of Steve Smith and the emergence of Alex Carey as an elite middle-order batsman have been huge wins for Australia throughout this tournament.

But the fragility of the batting order under sustained pressure is a worry.

Mitch Starc milestone

England relished in the Edgbaston conditions, and their opening pair of Jonny Bairstow, despite having a groin strain and Jason Roy, still tentative with hamstring issues, raced to a partnership of 124 before Bairstow was caught plum lbw by Mitch Starc.

The wicket brought up Starc’s 27th, and a record as the highest wicket taker in the World Cup history, overtaking Glen McGrath’s tally of 26 wickets he picked up in 2007.

Yet the damage had been inflicted. Starc was unusually expensive in the match, finishing with figures of 1/70. Along with Jason Brehrendorff (0/38) and Pat Cummins (1/34) he failed to get any swing off the wicket, unlike the movement England enjoyed at the beginning.

England’s opening partnership had positioned their team into a superb place, scoring more than twice the rate of Australia and the crowd revelled in Australia’s discomfort with gleeful singing and cheering. When Finch directed Smith to bowl an over he would not have expected such a hammering by Roy who smacked three successive sixes, including one towering smash landed three rows back from the top tier of the South Stand.

Australia’s poor record at Edgbaston now continues — the team has not won here since a test win in 2001, and now England has made it’s first world cup final since 1992.

Australia claimed its second wicket when England were at 147 — but it was a lucky break for the visitors. Roy wasn’t out as he didn’t get bat on the ball bowled by Cummins, but England couldn’t review it as they had used up their review on that earlier plumb lbw decision against Bairstow.

‘’F …. g embarrassing,’’ said Roy as he remonstrated with the umpires, but he had to head to the sheds having scored 85 off 65 deliveries, including a staggering 66 runs of the final 36 balls he faced.

Roy was fined 30 per cent of his match fee and given two demerit points for his expletive-laden his show of dissent to the umpire.

That left Morgan (45 not out off 39 balls) and the test captain Joe Root (49 not out off 46 balls) to finish off the innings with slashing batting to bring up a most one-sided world cup semi-final victory.

Morgan said after the big win: ‘’everyone out there loved every ball that was bowled, there was no lack of commitment or application. We had a bit of a day out, that’s cool when that happens.’’

Australia’s Mitchell Starc reacts after being hit for four against England at Edgbaston. Picture: AFP
Australia’s Mitchell Starc reacts after being hit for four against England at Edgbaston. Picture: AFP

Daniel Sankey 2.13am: ENGLAND WIN BY 8 WICKETS

It’s all over at Edgbaston, with England captain Eoin Morgan hitting a boundary to bring up the victory off the first ball of the 32nd over. Morgan finishes on 45 not out, while Joe Root is unbeaten on 49 as England advance to Sunday's World Cup final against New Zealand at Lord’s.

Daniel Sankey 1.59am: DRINKS — England 2-197

We take a drink — curiously — at the 29-over mark, with England on 2-197 and needing just 27 runs to win from 126 deliveries.

The partnership between Joe Root (33 not out, 32 deliveries) and Eoin Morgan (33 not out, 34 deliveries) is now 50.

Daniel Sankey 1.43am: England close in on victory

We’re at the 25-over mark of England’s innings and the hosts need just 53 runs for victory. Joe Root (30 not out, 29 deliveries) and Eoin Morgan (10 not out, 13 deliveries) have maintained the hectic England run rate, which is still at just under seven per over even following the dismissal of Jason Roy.

Aussie fans looking for a miracle can’t even count on the fickle English weather — while there have been some spots of rain, England is well ahead of the run rate required to win under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method should the match be called off any time soon.

Jacquelin Magnay 1.22am: Treasure those reviews, people

The Jason Roy dismissal is a lucky call for Australia, but it also shows the perils of England using up a review earlier in the innings when Jonny Bairstow was trapped plumb LBW.

Daniel Sankey 1.16am: WICKET! Roy departs for 85

A furious Jason Roy has to depart for 85 (65 deliveries) as he’s given out caught behind off the bowling of Pat Cummins. However, Roy is furious for a good reason … replays showed he didn’t get any bat or glove to the ball before it went through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey — and because Jonny Bairstow used a review in his dismissal, England doesn’t have another one to use.

Roy is visibly upset as he makes his way into the dressing room, with a century going begging through no fault of his own. Cummins has 1-24 and England are now 2-147 in the 20th over.

Jacquelin Magnay 1.09am: Bairstow wicket seals Starc milestone

With Jonny Bairstow becoming his 27th scalp of the tournament, Mitchell Starc becomes the highest wicket-taker in a single World Cup. Unfortunately, it's probably too little too late for the Aussies.

At least the wicket has kept the crowd quiet for all of, oh … one minute.

Daniel Sankey 1.06am: WICKET! Starc snares Bairstow

Mitchell Starc has trapped Jonny Bairstow (34 from 43) deliveries LBW … but with England requiring just 100 runs to win and Jason Roy (79 not out from 61 deliveries) in imperious form, victory still looks a massive longshot.

Joe Root comes to the crease with England on 1-124.

Daniel Sankey 12.59am: Smith smashed all over Edgbaston

Full credit to Aaron Finch for trying something different in the desperate hunt for a breakthrough … but right now, he’ll be regretting throwing Steve Smith the ball. Jason Roy has had a picnic off some erratic bowling from Smith, smashing him for three consecutive straight sixes. The first just cleared Glenn Maxwell at long on, the second was dead straight and safe … and the third was very nearly out of the ground as England move to 0-116 after 16 overs. The required run rate is now down to just 3.17 an over.

Daniel Sankey 12.50am: Roy brings up his 50

This game is rapidly getting out of control for Australia. Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack in the 15th over and the England openers are immediately back on the attack. Jonny Bairstow smashes a boundary before Jason Roy does the same, bringing up his 50 shortly afterwards with a second glorious cover drive. Roy’s half century comes from just 50 deliveries and England are 0-95 at the drinks break, now needing just 3.68 runs per over from here on in for victory. Roy moves to 54 not out (51 deliveries), Bairstow is 32 not out (39 deliveries) and Starc has the most unflattering figures of 0-38 from just four overs.

Jacquelin Magnay 12.35am: Bairstow treated by physio

A problem for England as Jonny Bairstow has a slight stumble on his right foot turning for a second run. Bairstow, who has scored 23 of England’s tally of 0-71, has taken off his pads while the team physiotherapist works on his hip area.

Daniel Sankey 12.26am: 50 up for England

It’s been a brilliant start for England, with Jason Roy (27 not out) and Jonny Bairstow (20 not out) bringing up their team’s 50 on the second-last ball of the 10th over.

Australian captain Aaron Finch has some work to do. Both Roy and Bairstow have been untroubled against left-armers Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff. … and it’s no surprise that Finch turns to off-spinner Nathan Lyon to bowl the 11th over of the innings.

Daniel Sankey 12.12am: England openers in charge

It’s already looking ominous for Australia, with England openers Jason Roy (19 not out, 21 deliveries) and Jonny Bairstow (12 not out, 21 deliveries) taking the hosts to 0-33 after seven overs. With Mitchell Starc (0-23 from three overs) struggling to make an impression, Australian captain Aaron Finch wasted no time calling Pat Cummins into the attack, with Jason Behrendorff (0-8) switching to the other end. Cummins went for just two off his first over.

Jacquelin Magnay 12.11am: Not the start Australia wanted

This game has a feel of disaster written all over it. After the opening six overs England have smashed Australia for 31 runs.

If the run rate continues like this, it will be over so quick the team can get the last train from Birmingham back to London.

Wickets desperately needed from Jason Behrendorff’s in-swinger.

Not happy … Australian paceman Jason Behrendorff, right, reacts as England’s Jonny Bairstow runs between the wickets. Picture: AP
Not happy … Australian paceman Jason Behrendorff, right, reacts as England’s Jonny Bairstow runs between the wickets. Picture: AP

Daniel Sankey 11.58pm: Confident start for England

Australia lost two wickets inside the first three overs, but there are no such problems for England who have moved to 0-16 after four overs. This drive (below) from Jason Roy, who’s now on 11 not out, has been a highlight.

Daniel Sankey 11.42pm: England innings underway

Jason Behrendorff takes the new ball for Australia and immediately he’s right on the batsmen, probing away around middle and off. An inside edge gets Jason Roy off the mark, but Jonny Bairstow is more convincing as he drives for four on the fifth ball of the over. England 0-5.

Jacquelin Magnay 11.15pm: AUSTRALIA ALL OUT FOR 223

Australia has been bowled all out for 223 with seven balls of the innings remaining, setting England a target of 224 to win the World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston.

After a dreadful opening, in which both openers were dismissed inside the first three overs, Australia stays in the match thanks to the vibrant innings of wicketkeeper Alex Carey (46 off 70 deliveries) and Steve Smith (85).

Carey, who needed stitches in his chin after copping a nasty bouncer from Jofra Archer, settled the Australian innings at a crucial time. After batting the entire World Cup at no. 7, Carey was promoted up the order to bat at number five — however, he certainly wouldn’t have expected to be at the crease quite within the first half-hour. Despite this, he and the vastly-experienced Smith partnered for 103 runs off 133 balls.

Smith was the glue of the innings, keeping a cool head despite the early turmoil to settle into a groove. His 85 came off 119 balls and while he survived an LBW appeal in the last few overs, his luck finally ended when he was run out off a sharp throw from Jos Buttler.

Smith’s knock has made Australia’s target for England semi-respectable, although the wicket — which showed a bit of movement early on — appears to be playing true.

Carey was clearly rattled early in his innings when struck in the head by a 139km/h Archer thunderbolt, but he had the presence of mind despite the pain and shock to grab his falling helmet before it dropped onto the stumps. Losing three wickets by the eighth over was a disaster, but if it had been four down, Australia would have been struggling to make three figures.

As it was, Carey was attended to by the team doctor several times during his innings, with elaborate strapping fitted around his chin, ears and head. It raised question marks over whether he would be fit enough to keep wickets during the England batting innings, but the Australian medical team stitched him up and he is expected to take his place.

Australia’s dramatic batting collapse — which occurred while most of the Edgbaston crowd were still finding their seats — began when captain Aaron Finch was out in the first ball he faced, followed by Warner who scored just 5 before being caught by Jonny Bairstow off the bowling of Chris Woakes. Finch’s duck comes after single figure tallies in his previous three games, which came on the back of nearly 500 runs from the first seven.

Peter Handscomb — favoured over Matthew Wade to replace Usman Khawaja — was nervous and skittish for his entire 12 ball innings. He survived an LBW decision on the first ball he faced then was bowled soon after by Chris Woakes for 4.

Smith, batting at three, started to run out of batting partners after Carey went to the sheds after sending a ball from leg spinner Adil Rashid straight down the throat of substitute fieldsman James Vince on the mid-wicket boundary.

Marcus Stoinis faced just two balls for his duck, while Glenn Maxwell settled in to reach 22 before being caught. Pat Cummins was the next to go for 6.

Mitch Starc, upon whom the team will rely to skittle the England batsman, added an important 29 off 36 balls.

Once Smith departed, the bowlers Nathan Lyon and Jason Behrendorff struggled through the last few overs and Behrendorff was snared with a lovely yorker from Mark Wood.

Two of England’s bowlers — Woakes with 3-20 and Rashid with 3-54 — recorded their best figures of the tournament.

Daniel Sankey 11.08pm: WICKET! Australia all out for 223

The Australian innings comes to an end on 223 as Jason Behrendorff (1) is bowled by Mark Wood. Nathan Lyon finishes on 5 not out.

Jacquelin Magnay 11.03pm: Smith’s luck finally fails him

Steve Smith survives an LBW appeal, but he can’t beat a snap throw by Jos Buttler and is run out. It was closer than what Smith may have thought as he trundles to the sheds.

Next ball, Mitchell Starc swings and edges to the keeper and Australia is now 9/217. A few balls to go and that’s it for the Australian innings.

Daniel Sankey 11pm: WICKET! Starc caught behind

Mitchell Starc (29) follows Steve Smith back to the pavilion the very next ball, getting an edge to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler as he attempts to smash Chris Woakes (3-19) back over his head. Australia 9-217 and the end is nigh as Nathan Lyon enters the fray.

Daniel Sankey 10.59pm: WICKET! Smith run out

Steve Smith’s brilliant knock comes to an end on 85 (119 deliveries) as he’s run out by a direct hit from Jos Buttler. Australia are now 8-217 as Jason Behrendorff joins Mitchell Starc (29 not out, 35 deliveries) in the middle with 17 deliveries remaining in the innings.

Daniel Sankey 10.54pm: Smith survives

A little bit of luck for the former Australian captain as Steve Smith survives an LBW review. The umpire’s call of not out stands as replays show the ball would have only just flicked the bails.

The 50 partnership between Smith (85 not out) and Mitchell Starc (29 not out) comes up and with three overs remaining, Australia are 7-217.

Jacquelin Magnay 10.46pm: Starc finds his voice

Johnny Farnham is playing in the background — You’re the Voice, no less — and Mitch Starc smashes a six. How many can Steve Smith and Starc notch in the final few overs?

Every run might count, although all the experts — English, mind — say this is a brilliant batting wicket. After 45 overs Australia is 7-203 with Smith on 82 not out and Starc on 22 not out.

Jacquelin Magnay 10.36pm: Finally, some good news

Alex Carey will take his place behind the stumps when Australia steps out into the field, team management has confirmed. After copping a brutal Jofra Archer bouncer that drew blood when it struck him in the head early in his fighting knock of 46, Carey has had his chin stitched up — but will be fit to field.

Daniel Sankey 10.29pm: Australia 7-175 after 40 overs

Ten overs to go at Edgbaston and Australia’s innings is on life support at 7-175. Steve Smith (73 not out, 104 deliveries) has played a brilliant hand but with the exception of he and Alex Carey (46), it’s an innings that’s been dominated by the English bowlers.

Jofra Archer (2-32) and Adil Rashid (3-54) have both bowled out their 10 overs, but England still has four to come from Chris Woakes (2-16), who had the ball on a string in his first spell as he claimed the wickets of David Warner (9) and Peter Handscomb (4).

Daniel Sankey 10.18pm: WICKET! Rashid gets a third

Another wicket for England, and this time it’s Pat Cummins (6) who attempts to guide Adil Rashid (3-54) through third man but instead edges straight to Joe Root at slip.

Steve Smith (68 not out, 97 deliveries) loses yet another batting partner and Australia are now 7-166 with two balls left in the 38th over. Enter Mitchell Starc.

Jacquelin Magnay 10.09pm: Smith looking for a partner

Steve Smith is at that point when he might be thinking he could soon run out of partners. Glenn Maxwell’s dismissal for 22 puts Pat Cummins in the middle, just at a period when Australia needs to increase the run rate. The crowd is hyper-excited, sensing the Australian innings is in a perilous state.

Peter Lalor 10.08pm: Max-well short of success

Great ball from Jofra Archer and Glenn Maxwell is out for 22 — well short of what his side needed. Disappointing return again from the all rounder, with replays showing Archer fooled Maxwell with the knuckle ball.

The bowlers are in now. Pat Cummins is at the crease and someone needs to stay with Steve Smith, who is 65 not out and needs to be a lot more than that before the day is done.

Daniel Sankey 10.06pm: WICKET! Maxwell falls

As has been the case throughout this World Cup, Glenn Maxwell fails to capitalise on a promising start. The all-rounder is out for 22 (23 deliveries) as Jofra Archer gets one to hold up in the pitch and it catches Maxwell off guard. He fends at the ball and is through the shot too early, prodding it straight to Eoin Morgan at short cover.

Australia are now 5-157 with one delivery remaining in the 35th over.

Peter Lalor 10.03pm: Time for Maxi to step up

Australia need Glenn Maxwell to deliver.

He came to the wicket at 5-118 after Marcus Stoinis again failed.

The all rounder’s place in the team was perilous coming into the semi final and Maxwell is at the crease with Steve Smith who has brought up his half century.

Maxwell kept his place in the side because of the overs he provides but is yet to score a half century in the World Cup.

He has started well, but that is rarely his problem.

Daniel Sankey 10.01pm: Maxwell on the attack

Could this be the innings that Glenn Maxwell truly proves his worth in Australia’s middle order? The polarising all-rounder has moved to 21 from just 21 deliveries as he’s gone on the attack early, targeting the mid-wicket and long-on boundaries particularly off the bowling of Adil Rashid.

After 34 overs, Australia are 5-152, with Steve Smith on 62 not out (86 deliveries). With the run rate currently just under 4.5 an over, a total of 250 is still within Australia’s reach — but Smith and Maxwell will need to get through the next 10 overs unscathed.

Jacquelin Magnay 9.40pm: Stoinis’ poor form continues

Marcus Stoinis’ questionable form continues as he’s trapped LBW for a duck by Adil Rashid.

It was an eventful over from the spinner, who had Alex Carey caught on the boundary, watched Steve Smith bring up his 50 then snared the wicket of Stoinis.

The Carey scalp is a significant one for England, particularly given it came just after he and Smith brought up their century partnership. Carey is now back in the sheds for more medical treatment on that chin. .

Daniel Sankey 9.32pm: WICKET! Adil strikes twice

Alex Carey’s brave knock comes to an end on 46 as he attempts to whack Adil Rashid over the mid-wicket boundary, but only succeeds in sending it straight down the throat of substitute fieldsman James Vince.

And just four deliveries later, it’s a disaster for Australia as Rashid picks up a second wicket — this time trapping Marcus Stoinis LBW for a duck.

Just when they looked back in the match after a 103-run partnership between Carey and Steve Smith (50 not out, 72 deliveries), Australia slump to 5-118 and it’s now up to Glenn Maxwell to help salvage a 200-plus total.

Daniel Sankey 9.17pm: Aussies fighting back

Into the 23rd over of the match and Alex Carey (37 not out, 57 deliveries) and Steve Smith (37 not out, 59 deliveries) have just taken the run rate past four an over for the first time in this match. The Aussies are 3-95 with spinner Adil Rashid bowling his third over of the innings.

Jacquelin Magnay 9.03pm: Will Carey field for Australia?

No official word from the Australian camp, despite repeated requests for an update on Alex Carey’s injury. How serious is it? Will he field, or will Peter Handscomb take on the wicketkeeping duties? Is this radio silence from the Australians a ploy to rattle the English? Hmm.

Australia are 3-79 after 21 overs.

Jacquelin Magnay 8.50pm: Quick-thinking Carey survives

Phew, the frenetic developments of the first 10 overs have dissipated and we can reflect back on that feisty bouncer from Jofra Archer that struck Alex Carey. How good were Carey’s instincts — not surprisingly from a wicketkeeper — to grab his falling helmet amid the shock of being hit?

Not the headgear Alex Carey would have been hoping to wear today. Picture: Getty Images
Not the headgear Alex Carey would have been hoping to wear today. Picture: Getty Images

If the helmet had hit the stumps he would have been ruled out under law 29.1.1.4.

Perhaps that was his first catch of the day. In the overs since, Carey has twice been patched up by the team doctor and he now sports an elastic bandage around his chin and up over his ears and his head.

Peter Lalor 8.45pm: DRINKS — Australia 3-47

An hour of agony for Australia against England, the visitors three wickets down, bruised and bleeding when drinks were taken at the end of the first hour.

Alex Carey is sporting a Rick McCosker-like bandage on his face after being struck by a bouncer. The injured batsman has stayed out there and is attempting to keep his team in the game with the assistance from Steve Smith.

His face is swelling noticeably as the game continues.

In pain, but fighting on … Australia’s Alex Carey gets his Rick McCosker-like bandage applied. Picture: AFP
In pain, but fighting on … Australia’s Alex Carey gets his Rick McCosker-like bandage applied. Picture: AFP

There are concerns he may have done serious damage, but the immediate concerns are for the welfare of the batting innings in the do-or-die match.

The captain gone was gone for a first ball duck and took the only review with him, Aaron Finch trapped on the crease and hit on the pads by the dangerous Jofra Archer.

He called for a review in vain and trundled off.

With his broken jaw wired shut, Rick McCosker bravely came out to bat in Australia’s Centenary Test victory over England in 1977. Picture: File
With his broken jaw wired shut, Rick McCosker bravely came out to bat in Australia’s Centenary Test victory over England in 1977. Picture: File

Opening partner David Warner began boldly, a boundary through covers off the first delivery he faced and one on the delivery before a Chris Woakes ball got big on him.

The opener was out for 9 and if Australia loses, he will fall 27 runs short of Sachin Tendulkar’s record of 673 runs in a single World Cup.

Peter Handscomb was lucky to survive an LBW shout that could have gone either way first ball but he was on his way soon after. Called into the side as a replacement for Usman Khawaja, he lasted 12 deliveries before he was bowled by Woakes for 4.

Australia was 3-14 when Handscomb was dismissed.

Carey had his helmet knocked off by an Archer bouncer but was quick enough to catch it before it hit the stumps.

He batted on after receiving medical attention but after blood began to seep through the bandaging on his chin he had to receive more significant strapping.

Jacquelin Magnay 8.15pm: Carey fights back after head knock

Such has been the drama here at Edgbaston the Barmy Army has only managed to get out two ditties. Wicket, wicket, nearly a wicket, wicket and an injury. Word has got out about the Australian capitulation and the ground is filling up. Australian captain Aaron Finch spoke about how the first 10 overs would be critical. Apart from the shock at losing so many wickets so quickly, the run rate is almost at a standstill.

Alex Carey’s confidence would have been knocked by that bouncer from Jofra Archer, so Australia’s innings depends on how Steve Smith can calm him down. Well, as I write this, Carey just smashed a boundary, so his recovery is coming along okay. Hope it continues.

Australia now 3-25.

Jacquelin Magnay 8.09pm: England adds injury to insult

Alex Carey spills blood on the pitch as he is smashed by Jofra Archer bouncer fired in at 139km/h. The ball looked to have clipped the grill of his helmet, which saved him from a broken jaw — but a cut was opened up on the side of Carey’s chin as the sheer velocity of the delivery knocked his helmet clean off his head. The medical team has spent some time on the pitch checking him out and applying some bandaging to his chin.

Jacquelin Magnay 8.01pm: Carnage at Edgbaston

This is carnage. Three wickets for 13. Did anyone predict that? Any hope of a strong 300-plus innings has evaporated in these early overs. Can Australia get to triple figures? It all depends on Steve Smith and no. 5 batsman Alex Carey to settle things down.

Peter Handscomb survived an LBW appeal by a paper-thin margin on just his first ball and for his entire short innings looked most uncomfortable against Jofra Archer.

Archer beat him with the ball a couple of times So no surprise really he went so early.

Daniel Sankey 7.58pm: WICKET! Handscomb bowled

Peter Handscomb’s World Cup debut lasts just 12 deliveries as he gets an inside edge to Chris Woakes and is bowled for 4. Australia slump to 3-14 after 6.1 overs as Alex Carey — promoted to no. 5 — has the big responsibility of resurrecting the Australian innings with Steve Smith (1 not out, 13 deliveries).

Jacquelin Magnay 7.48pm: Nightmare start for Aussies

Maybe winning the toss wasn’t so wonderful after all. England’s bowling, with the wicket offering a touch of sideways movement, has Australia on the back foot.

David Warner joins Aaron Finch in the dressing room before the third over, a dreadful start for Australia, and Peter Handscomb, facing his first ball in the cricket World Cup, survives a mighty scare. An lbw appeal is deemed “umpire’s call”. This is a nightmare start and Handscomb and Steve Smith have to try to settle in.

Daniel Sankey 7.42pm: WICKET! Warner caught

A double blow for Australia, with David Warner quickly following Aaron Finch back to the pavilion for 9 (11 deliveries). In just the third over of the match, Chris Woakes bent his back and dug in a short ball that Warner edges high on the bat, with Jonny Bairstow taking a safe catch at second slip.

Australia are 2-10 as Peter Handscomb makes his way to the middle to join Steve Smith (1 not out). Handscomb is very nearly trapped LBW first ball, with Woakes rapping the Aussie no. 4 on the pad above the knee roll. The on-field decision is not out and England reviews … and with the replay showing the ball was just flicking the stumps, it’s an umpire’s call and Handscomb survives.

Daniel Sankey 7.35pm: WICKET! Finch trapped LBW

David Warner takes strike for Australia and he’s immediately on the attack, driving Chris Woakes for four. Woakes fights back well in his next five deliveries, probing outside off stump as Warner is content to leave the ball.

Jofra Archer then takes the ball at the other end and his first delivery is a cracker, jagging back and catching Aaron Finch on the kneeroll in front of the stumps. After a long deliberation, the umpire signals out! Finch reviews but the ball is hitting the top of middle stump and the Aussie captain has to go. It’s 1-4 after 1.1 overs.

Jacquelin Magnay 7.20pm: Carey listed at no. 5

Looking at the team sheets, Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey has been bumped up the order to bat at number five and Glenn Maxwell — considered lucky to have survived given his recent tough run with short balls — is now at six.

So the Australian batting will open with Aaron Finch and David Warner followed by Steve Smith, Peter Handscomb, Carey, Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. Then follows the bowlers in Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Lyon.

Meanwhile, casting an eye around the ground, there are thousands of empty seats. People are flooding in, and there is a row of brightly coloured yellow shirts — presumably Aussies — sitting at third man. I would say about 8000 to 10,000 people here in a 25,000 stadium.

Jacquelin Magnay 7.09pm: ‘It’s a really good wicket’, Finch says

Australia has won the toss and will bat first! That’s great news as batting first is a big advantage.

“It looks like a really good wicket, hopefully we can get a few runs on the board,” Australian captain Aaron Finch said.

The only change to the Australian line-up is that Peter Handscomb comes in for Usman Khawaja. Steve Smith will bat at number three. So that means Matthew Wade is watching from the stands.

England captain Eoin Morgan said while he wanted to win the toss, he was “not really bothered”. He added: “Before the World Cup we were prepared to chase”.

There are no changes to the England team.

Daniel Sankey 7.02pm: Australia wins toss, bats

Great news for the Aussies, with Aaron Finch winning the toss and choosing to bat. Just the one change to the team, with Peter Handscomb comes in for Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith to bat at no.3.

England’s XI is unchanged.

AUSTRALIA XI: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steven Smith, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon

ENGLAND XI: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood

Jacquelin Magnay 6.59pm: Wade, Maxwell mystery to be revealed

Just minutes to go before we get the team sheets and the mysterious goings on by Australian selectors will be released.

Will Matt Wade get the nod? Where will he squeeze into the order if he does? Was Justin Langer foxing when he said Peter Handscomb “will definitely play, 100 per cent” perhaps slotting in at number four?

England captain Eoin Morgan yesterday said they had been factoring in playing all of “Australia’s 15, or is it 16 players?”, acknowledging the uncertainty around Australia’s injuries and line-up.

While the sun is out at the moment, the forecast is for some scattered showers after lunch. But the crowd may not be the fearsome bumper sell-out that organisers hoped for.

Indian fans scooped up 80 per cent of the semi-final tickets on the chance their team would be playing here, but so far only a few have been returned for re-sale. David Warner and Steve Smith might find that anticipated taunts from the Barmy Army are non-existent.

But in the press box, the jibes have started with one British journalist ribbing me that I was here to write the Australian obituary. He was given the short shrift.

The Sun has reposted those photographs of David Warner and Steve Smith crying and said England wanted “to reduce Aussie cheats to tears again today”.

F1 star Daniel Ricciardo told BBC breakfast that he used to play backyard cricket with Marcus Stoinis, who looks to have recovered from his side strains of recent days with a tough hit out yesterday.

Daniel Sankey 6.50pm: A look at the Edgbaston pitch

Here’s the Edgbaston pitch, which looks a beauty.

For the Aussies, looks can be deceiving, though. England hasn’t been beaten at Edgbaston — in any format of the game — for almost five years, so the hosts will be full of confidence despite their loss to Australia in the preliminary matches.

“I think that is part and parcel of being the hosts, a little bit of home advantage,” England captain Eoin Morgan said yesterday.

“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.”

6.30pm: Excitement building

Plenty of activity at the ground one hour out from the scheduled first ball. There is already a buzz among the fans as they make their way into the ground. Fair bit of tension among England supporters, it has to be said. So far, so good with the weather too.

6pm: Best laid plans face test

Four years of preparation will be go on the line for England against holders Australia today, AFP reports.

England’s woeful first-round exit at the 2015 edition prompted a complete rethink of their approach to one-day internationals for a side that had long placed Test success above all other considerations.

Australian coach Trevor Bayliss was drafted in with the aim of guiding their bid for a first World Cup title.

The transformation has been impressive, with England climbing to number one in the ODI rankings under the astute captaincy of Eoin Morgan.

Their rise to the summit has been based on dynamic run-scoring, with in-form openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow leading the way.

But the stakes for hosts England are higher than simply the winning of a match that would see them into a final against New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday.

The England-Australian brains trust, Trevor Bayliss and Eoin Morgan. Picture: Getty Images
The England-Australian brains trust, Trevor Bayliss and Eoin Morgan. Picture: Getty Images

Host broadcaster Sky has said it will allow the final to be shown on free-to-air television in Britain — but only if England are involved in the showpiece match.

It would be the first time since 2005 that a major England men’s home match had emerged from behind a UK television paywall, with cricket having a chance to reconnect with a ‘lost’ audience in its birthplace.

Australia have never lost any of their seven previous World Cup semi-finals — although they did tie with South Africa at Edgbaston 20 years ago before advancing into the final thanks to their superior net run-rate from the preceding “Super Six” stage.

England had won 10 of their last 11 ODIs against Australia prior to the World Cup.

But that counted for nothing when Australia landed a psychological blow in the group stage, beating Ashes rivals England by 64 runs at Lord’s last month.

AFP

5pm: A wary eye on the weather

Mostly overcast conditions and possible showers are forecast for Birmingham today, with temperatures up to 22C. Meanwhile, The Sun has done its best to raise the temperature heading into the game.

Peter Lalor 3.45pm: Maxwell likely to fend off Wade challenge

The mail from England is that Glenn Maxwell has stared down a challenge from Matthew Wade and will play in tonight’s do-or-die World Cup semi final against England.

It wasn’t registered or certified, so don’t put your house on it, but it appears Australia is happy with one change — Peter Handscomb in for Usman Khawaja.

It’s the sensible call. Marcus Stoinis is a little fragile and if he were to break down you need overs from Maxwell, who hasn’t taken wickets in the tournament but has held his own.

You do not want Aaron Finch or Steve Smith making up overs against England.

Under pressure … Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Picture: Getty Images
Under pressure … Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell. Picture: Getty Images

The game begins at 7.30pm (AEST). The toss is critical.

Watch for Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Jason Behrendorff to target England captain Eoin Morgan with the short ball. The Australians know he backs away and they’ll be chasing him. They’ll want to make a statement.

England will be after Maxwell with the same tactic, but hunting the lower order all-rounder is not exactly the same as hunting the captain.

If you are supporting Australia, pray there are early wickets. If England get away in the first 10 overs they’re hard to catch. Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler know how to play power cricket.

England openers Jason Roy (left) and Jonny Bairstow are in hot form. Picture: AFP
England openers Jason Roy (left) and Jonny Bairstow are in hot form. Picture: AFP

Hope also that Australia win the toss and bat. The chase has proved the most difficult element of this World Cup. The wickets haven’t helped, but the pressure of a the big tournament is the other contributing factor.

There are reports this pitch is more in the manner of the flat tracks England have prospered on.

Runs on the board are always valuable but never more so than in a World Cup and particularly a World Cup final.

The Kiwis broke a billion hearts last night. Australia’s trans-Tasman neighbours turned World Cup expectations upside down and inside out when they rolled India. And now they get to put their feet up and watch while Australia and England, the oldest of enemies, fight it out for the privilege of playing at Lord’s in the final.

England all-rounder Ben Stokes bowls in a net session at Edgbaston yesterday. Picture: Getty Images
England all-rounder Ben Stokes bowls in a net session at Edgbaston yesterday. Picture: Getty Images

England are under enormous pressure. Ben Stokes said during the week that this was the most important game of his life. That tells you something. Here they are at home, clear favourites in the lead up to the final and with everything to play for.

They saw India blow it and they saw how much that hurt.

A fair portion of these Australians have played bigger games and won. They have more experience at this level. David Warner, Aaron Finch, Steve Smith, Maxwell and Starc were all part of the side that beat New Zealand in 2015.

Australian openers David Warner (left) and Aaron Finch will be desperate to get their team off to a flying start. Picture: Getty Images
Australian openers David Warner (left) and Aaron Finch will be desperate to get their team off to a flying start. Picture: Getty Images

Australians are good at tournament cricket. No other side does World Cups like them. They’ve won five. England have won exactly none. England hasn’t won a semi final since 1992, Australia has never lost one.

England knows that. The players know they are the best chance the country has had to do it. They know that the game, struggling so much at home, needs them to win this match AND the next. Root says they have the opportunity to inspire the next generation.

The pressure is theirs and theirs alone. The weight must be wearying. The expectation enormous. To get through will be a credit to a side that is packed with fine cricketers.

Australia have done well to get this far and have the confidence to go one further.

Stay tuned we’ll be bringing you updates all night.

3.30pm: Finch backs Smith to fire

Australia captain Aaron Finch has backed Steve Smith to perform when it matters most in the World Cup finals as the team’s title defence goes on the line.

Smith is set to move back to No. 3 in Australia’s batting line up for tonight’s semi- final against England, a position he relinquished in the 2017-18 home summer.

The 30-year-old has endured a mixed World Cup on his return from a 12-month ban for his role in the ball-tampering scandal.

Since scoring a century in a warm-up game against England, he has also passed 50 against West Indies, India and Sri Lanka.

However, Smith has managed scores of just 38, five and seven in his past three matches, albeit while coming in at varying stages of the innings. But with the tournament now at the pointy end, Finch expected Smith to make his mark.

Steve Smith shows his frustration after being dismissed by Chris Woakes for 38 in Australia’s preliminary phase win over England. Picture: Getty Images
Steve Smith shows his frustration after being dismissed by Chris Woakes for 38 in Australia’s preliminary phase win over England. Picture: Getty Images

“He is one of the best players in the world,” Finch said.

“We saw at the last World Cup, at the business end, in a quarter-final he got 60, semi-final 100, final 65 not out. We will still have to weigh up (where he will bat). We are doing our due diligence with all our XIs that we hypothetically throw up.”

Smith has scored 294 runs at 32.66 for the World Cup, an average well down on his mark of 67 from the home tournament in 2015.

The former captain will be joined by Peter Handscomb in Australia’s top six after Justin Langer yesterday confirmed the Victorian’s selection.

Handscomb was left out of the initial squad after he was considered a like-for- like for the returning Smith, but has since been called up to replace the injured Usman Khawaja (hamstring).

Finch knows Handscomb’s game as well any, having also played alongside him in domestic cricket.

“His improvement has been early in his innings in particular,” Finch said. “He’s someone who rotates the strike really well and doesn’t allow bowlers to bowl over after over at him.

“When he first started for Victoria he might have been a slightly limited in terms of getting off strike.

“But his game now — he’s a 360-degree player, very good against the quicks, extremely good against spin.”

AAP

3.15pm: Australia v England — key battles

EOIN MORGAN (England) v AARON FINCH (Australia)

Eoin Morgan. Picture: AFP
Eoin Morgan. Picture: AFP
Aaron Finch. Picture: Getty Images
Aaron Finch. Picture: Getty Images

Mind Games: Eoin Morgan has been at the helm of England’s revival as a one-day international side, leading them to the top of the rankings and to their first World Cup semi-final for 27 years. The 32-year-old batsman assured home fans and pundits that England would not buckle under pressure after wobbling in the league stage. Morgan stayed true to his word, masterminding victories over India and New Zealand and is now two wins away from making history.

Aaron Finch has let his bat do the talking, taking Australia to their sixth semi-final in seven tournaments. The opener amassed 507 runs, with two hundreds and three fifties, as the five-time champions won seven of their nine league games to finish second in the 10-team group table. But, with the pressure ratcheted up a notch, can the skipper inspire his side to another win against England after a comprehensive victory against the host nation in the group phase?

—

JONNY BAIRSTOW (England) v DAVID WARNER (Australia)

Jonny Bairstow. Picture: Getty Images
Jonny Bairstow. Picture: Getty Images
David Warner. Picture: Getty Images
David Warner. Picture: Getty Images

Opening fireworks: England’s Jonny Bairstow was the key man in England’s revival at the end of the group phase, hitting two dominant centuries to haul the hosts into the semi-finals. The opener hit 111 in the match against India and then smashed another century against New Zealand. Reunited with opening partner Jason Roy, Bairstow threatens to be a thorn in Australia’s side at Edgbaston.

Left-handed David Warner was Bairstow’s teammate for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2019 Indian Premier League and the pairing was prolific. Since then, Warner has returned to international cricket in triumph following a ball-tampering incident that saw him banned for 12 months. He has hit three hundreds and three fifties at the World Cup to stack up 638 runs in nine matches, leading Australia’s charge. England know the danger Warner poses. Unless they get him out cheaply, he could take the game away from them.

—

MITCHELL STARC (Australia) v JOFRA ARCHER (England)

Mitchell Starc. Picture: AP
Mitchell Starc. Picture: AP
Jofra Archer. Picture: Getty Images
Jofra Archer. Picture: Getty Images

Need for speed: Mitchell Starc has been a lethal weapon for Australia at the World Cup, claiming 26 wickets with a strike rate of 19.2. The left-armer’s ability to strike early and stem the flow of runs will be crucial against an English top-order that has returned to top form.

Jofra Archer, 24, has combined with senior paceman Chris Woakes to give the home side a lethal new-ball pair that Australia will be wary of. Archer remains the go-to man in England’s search for an early wicket — the Barbados-born paceman has claimed 17 wickets in nine matches. His ability to bowl at genuine pace gives Morgan’s team a cutting edge with which to attack Australia’s key men at the top of the order — Warner, Finch and Steve Smith.

3pm: England don’t fear Aussies quicks

England insist the way they handled Trent Boult against New Zealand last week shows they can avoid another top-order disaster against Australia’s left-armers tonight.

Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff took nine wickets between them when the two teams met a fortnight ago as they ravaged England’s top four. Power hitter Jos Buttler was the only player not to fall to the pair after England fell to 4-53 early and only one of their top four hit double figures.

Australia’s Mitchell Starc celebrates the dismissal of England’s Joe Root in the World Cup preliminary match at Lord’s last month. Picture: AFP
Australia’s Mitchell Starc celebrates the dismissal of England’s Joe Root in the World Cup preliminary match at Lord’s last month. Picture: AFP

The hosts have gone to lengths to avoid a repeat tonight. Left-arm county quicks have been invited to training this weeks, sending down balls with the dog-thrower tool to increase the speed of batting drills on the angle.

They also have confidence after Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow hit 123 for the first wicket against New Zealand last Tuesday, denying left-arm quick Boult.

“Since then (the Australian game), we have played against quality bowling line-ups and overcome them,” captain Eoin Morgan said.

Pumped up: Australian paceman Jason Behrendorff claims the wicket of James Vince at Lord’s last month. Picture: AP
Pumped up: Australian paceman Jason Behrendorff claims the wicket of James Vince at Lord’s last month. Picture: AP

“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.”

Morgan said England may look to play two spinners if the Edgbaston pitch looks like it may offer some turn.

The wickets of Roy and Bairstow will be key for Australia, given they have averaged 84.80 as an opening partnership in the tournament.

AAP

Read related topics:David WarnerPat Cummins
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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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-england-live-coverage-of-2019-cricket-world-cup-semifinal-at-edgbaston/news-story/eeca8bdf7ff6a13669dec5414f93ba91