ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: How the final four are shaping up

ICC Cricket World Cup 2019: How the final four are shaping up

MANCHESTER: After an exhaustive league stage, the 2019 World Cup heads towards the business end with Australia, India, England and New Zealand qualifying for the semifinals of the mega event.

India will take on New Zealand at Old Trafford in Manchester on July 9, Tuesday while Australia will square off against their arch-rival England at Edgbaston in Birmingham on July 11, Thursday.

AUSTRALIA
M:9 W:7 L:2 NR:0 PTS:14
The Aaron Finch-led side became the first side to qualify for the semifinal after registering a thumping win against England at Lord’s. A look at Australia’s campaign.

A year out, the reigning champions’ one-day cricket was a mess, but they have timed their run to perfection. They have won 15 of their last 17 games, a sequence only interrupted by defeats to India and South Africa. Their winning mentality and World Cup record would be key when they take on England in the second semi-final in Birmingham.

ENGLAND
M:9 W:6 L:3 NR:0 PTS:12
Tournament favourites England started with a bang but its semifinal qualification took a hit as it lost a couple of matches. However, the Eoin Morgan-led side bounced back in supreme fashion and became the third team to qualify for the semifinal after defeating New Zealand by a massive margin at Chester-le-Street.

They endured a mini identity crisis when losing back-to-back games against Sri Lanka and Australia. A frank team meeting appears to have put them back on track and they head into the knockouts after two stirring victories against fellow semi-finalists India and New Zealand.

Given their team depth, crowd support and record at Birmingham, the Poms start as slight favourites against Australia

INDIA
M:9 W:7 L:1 NR: 1 PTS:15
India became the second team after Australia to qualify for the semifinal of the World Cup. India started off on a clean note by winning five matches on the trot before going down to England. It was, however, quick to bounce back as it defeated Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to cement its place in the last four.

Seven wins and one washout from their group games meant India deservedly regained a top place in the ICC standings before defeat against England. Most of their victories have been comfortable, but they were pushed all the way by underdogs Afghanistan. Complacency would be their biggest rival when they play New Zealand in Manchester.

NEW ZEALAND
M:9 W:5 L:3 NR:1 PTS:11
The Kane Williamson-led side managed to book the semifinal berth in the last minute after Pakistan was knocked out of the World Cup. New Zealand, which started brightly, slipped midway in the group stage to almost got eliminated. Despite three successive defeats, its healthy net run-rate ensured the 2015 World Cup finalists enter the last four stage even in this edition.

The Black Caps started the tournament in rude health, going unbeaten in their first six matches, only to go off the boil at just the wrong time. Lokie Ferguson’s fitness will be vital for their hopes against India.

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