Australia will be relishing the opportunity to pile more pressure on England when the two sides face-off in their World Cup clash at Lord’s on Tuesday.
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The hosts’ shock defeat to Sri Lanka leaves them needing at least one win from their final three group matches, possibly two depending on results elsewhere, if they are to progress to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Australia are well on course for a top-four finish, with five wins and one defeat so far. Victory over their arch-rivals would all but confirm their place in the later stages.
England’s task has been made trickier by the continued absence of Jason Roy. The hard-hitting opener missed the games against Afghanistan and Sri Lanka with a torn left hamstring and was hopeful of returning to face the Aussies, but is not quite ready. James Vince, who made just 26 and 14 in those matches, is expected to continue to deputise.
Roy out of Australia clash, but could he return against India? #cwc19 https://t.co/O9BEzWVMVT
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) June 24, 2019
England must also decide whether to stick with two frontline spinners or recall Liam Plunkett in place of Moeen Ali.
Australia welcomed back the all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who had been suffering with a side strain, for the 48-run victory over Bangladesh and could stick with that winning XI, although the off-spinner Nathan Lyon, who impressed in the warm-up victory over England but is yet to feature in the tournament, is a possible alternative to the leg-spin of Adam Zampa.
The Betfair Exchange verdict
Despite England’s defeat to Sri Lanka, Eoin Morgan’s men remain odds-on favourites on the Exchange for the clash at Lord’s. But betting on a 1.8 (4/5) shot who were battered and bruised by Pakistan and then failed to chase a paltry total against a struggling Sri Lanka? No thanks.
Of course, England remain a good team and they should still make the semi-finals, but in-form Australia will present a stiff challenge at HQ.
It feels like the Aussies remain under the radar and are playing with more freedom. England, meanwhile, are still playing attacking cricket but their game management hasn’t been up to scratch at times. We’re happy to back the men from Down Under at around 2.2 (5/4).
