Australia smothered top-ranked England by 64 runs at Lord's on Tuesday, 25 June, moved to the top of the points table and ratcheted up the pressure on the home side to join the defending champions in the Cricket World Cup semifinals.
First into the playoffs, the Australians successfully defended a total for the fourth consecutive match, making 285-7 stand tall by bowling out England for 221 with 5.2 overs to spare. Inspired recall Jason Behrendorff claimed a maiden 5-for while fellow fast bowler Mitchell Starc grabbed four to lead the tournament wickets list with 19.
England rose to the top of the one-day rankings thanks to fearless and imaginative chases, but fell to a third defeat in seven matches in its home World Cup, all three while chasing. After their second-straight loss at the World Cup, England stay at the fourth place in the standings wth 8 points from 7 matches.
ICC World Cup 2019 Points Table
England Still in Race to Reach Playoffs
England's third defeat in seven matches – all three while chasing – wasn't fatal to its semifinal hopes, but raised the stakes even higher for a win against their next two opponents – India (30 June) or New Zealand (3 July), who are both unbeaten. A win against two is likely to see them through while they can still be hopeful of making the knockout stage if they defeat any one.
The latest defeat for England has also breathed more life into closest challengers Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, each of which must still win all their remaining games to stay hopeful.
Australia on the other hand, as their captains puts it, “have got the first bit ticked off". They play New Zealand on 29 June followed by South Africa in their final group stage on 6 July.
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