London: Australia appear almost certain to face New Zealand in their World Cup semi-final after England put a nation at ease by securing their berth in the top-four knock-out stage.
Pushed to the brink of despair a week ago, England have responded with wins over India on Sunday and the Black Caps on Thursday to ensure they will be in a semi-final.
Just who that is against has yet to be confirmed but it appears more than likely they will finish in third spot, and will face second-placed India on Thursday week in Birmingham for a spot in the final at Lord's on July 14.
Australia, with their final pool match to come against South Africa on Saturday, remain on top of the table, and will finish there should they dispose of the Proteas in Manchester. This would almost certainly guarantee a semi-final against the Black Caps on Tuesday at Old Trafford.
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Pakistan, on nine points, are technically still alive but would need to beat Bangladesh in a miracle manner in their final match on Friday to improve their dismal net run rate. Official scorers say Pakistan can only make the finals should they bat first. They then need to make 480 and bowl their Asian neighbour out for 160.
Australia would welcome the opportunity to face the Black Caps, for they are seen as the weakest of the top-four nations, were beaten by 86 runs when the Trans-Tasman rivals met at Lord's on Saturday, and are now sweating on the fitness of pace ace Lockie Ferguson. The Black Caps have also limped into the finals, having lost their past three matches.
England celebrates after winning the Cricket World Cup match.Credit:PA
That Aaron Finch's men will have already played at Old Trafford just days before the semi-final will give the Australians an excellent feel for the pitch and conditions, and Glenn Maxwell confirmed on Thursday they are keen to remain in town.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan said the Australians would benefit from remaining in Manchester.
"The one advantage is they get settled in the one place for a week. From what I have seen from New Zealand in their past three games, they will need to raise by their game by plenty, whether they are batting or bowling first," he said.
When England have conditions in their favour they are a formidable threat, and that was the case in a thumping 119-run win over the Black Caps at the Riverside Ground in Durham where Jonny Bairstow (106 off 99 balls) became the first Englishman to score back-to-back hundreds in a World Cup. It's was also his third successive in one-day internationals against New Zealand.
He has also enjoyed having the robust Jason Roy (60 off 61) back as his opening partner, and they put on 123 of England's 8-305.
In reply, the Black Caps were crunched for 186 off 45 overs, preferring to retain their run-rate in another "go slow", sparking debate on whether net run rates should be used to determine ladder placings.
England captain Eoin Morgan contributed an important 42 off 40 balls, regaining some form having been caught hooking in his past two innings. He said England would "tap into what we have achieved the last two games" come the semi final.
"It's been extremely important to our campaign. It is, obviously, the reason that we have got through and we have been able to play some of our best cricket because of that," he said.
"So tapping into that, identifying what we did well and if that still remains the same priority going into the semi final, which I think it will."
This match also added to debate about how much influence the correct call at the toss of the coin was having on results.
"Before the tournament started I thought that might be a trend, the toss, being a huge deciding factor in the game but I thRead More – Source
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