Last Updated on 9 months ago by Charbel Coorey

CWC 2019 Semi Final 2: Australia v England Preview Dream11. AUS vs ENG Preview Dream11 Prediction

Hearts will be beating fast. Twitter accounts are on the line. One of the biggest rivalries in World Cricket takes centre stage as hosts England play arch-rivals Australia for a spot in the 2019 World Cup Final.

Australia face the hosts and pre-tournament favourites after losing their final group game against South Africa. Injury concerns will be another test of Australia’s resolve, with their reputation of overcoming adversity to come to the fore again. Often below their best in CWC 2019, Australia still managed to pick up crucial wins along the way to become the first team to have qualified, including a convincing win over England at Lord’s. However, the possible selections – including no Glenn Maxwell – looks a risk.

It was far from smooth going for England in the group stage. Defeats to Sri Lanka and Australia had even their most ardent believers losing a little faith, eventually sitting outside the top four before their final two games against India and New Zealand. However, England held their nerve well, batting strongly first up to set up their final two victories to seal their Semi Final spot. Will England knock the arch enemy out of the World Cup and reach the Final?

Also read: Can this England side be considered ‘great’ even if they go onto win the World Cup?

Key to an England win

England will be tough to beat if they get the opportunity to bat first. After all, they have won all such games in CWC 2019, with their three defeats coming while chasing. However, regardless of whether they win the toss or not, plenty rests on the England batsmen’s ability to handle the occasion. Jason Roy’s return to the side has been a big boost for Jonny Bairstow and England, enabling the hosts to get off to flying starts that has them playing from in-front. With Stoinis a chance to play as the fifth bowler despite injury concerns, England have a significant opportunity to put significant pressure on Australia. Can the openers win their battle against Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendhorff? How well will England’s middle order fare? Will it be the day Jos Buttler fires after a bit of a lean spell?

Also, plenty rests on England’s bowlers. They were too short at Lord’s against Australia, which was reflective of their lack of adaptability at times in the ODI format. With overcast (and possible rain) conditions forecast for Edgbaston, it is a good shout to test the front-foot techniques of Aaron Finch and David Warner. Can England target Steve Smith early and then Australia’s new-look middle order?

Key to an Australia win

A few injuries can be cause for increased nerves at this time of the tournament. However, Australia, while not at their best at times, have shown that they have the ingredients to turn it on when it counts. More is needed from Steve Smith, and there is no better time than now to deliver a big innings. Before that, though, the partnership between Aaron Finch and David Warner can dictate the direction this game will go in. They have been terrific as an opening partnership in CWC 2019, and if they can overcome Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes early, confidence can grow. However, much rests on the out-of-form Marcus Stoinis to get going right away with murmurs that Glenn Maxwell is set to be dropped.

Also, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Jason Behrendhorff are crucial. They blew England away early at Lord’s, but pitch conditions in Edgbaston will likely be suited more for batting. Jason Behrendhorff’s value is in his ability to swing the ball, so maximising any available movement with good line and full length is crucial along with Starc up top. England’s opening stand, like Australia’s, can be the difference between winning and losing, so it’s key for Australia to force an England rebuild in the middle overs, especially with the possibility that Stoinis will be needed to bowl 10 overs.

Pitch and conditions

England will be sweating. Not because it’s hot, but rather at the possibility of some rain and thunderstorms in Edgbaston on Thursday. A reserve day is available should it be needed (and the forecast for Friday is more promising), but if there is no result, Australia will progress as a result of finishing higher on the points table. In regards to the pitch, Edgbaston has been one of the best pitches for batting in CWC 2019 and should remain the same, with a short boundary on one side.

Possible Playing 11

Also read: Can this England side be considered ‘great’ even if they go onto win the World Cup?

Moeen Ali has been left out of the side in recent games for Liam Plunkett. It remains to be seen if England choose to go with more batting cover or the bowling attack that has saw them restrict India and blow New Zealand away.

England: 1. Jonny Bairstow, 2. Jason Roy, 3. Joe Root, 4. Eoin Morgan (c), 5. Ben Stokes, 6. Jos Buttler (wk), 7. Chris Woakes, 8. Jofra Archer, 9. Liam Plunkett, 10. Adil Rashid, 11. Mark Wood

Australia’s possible XI has me worried. Glenn Maxwell is reportedly a chance to be axed, which puts more pressure on Marcus Stoinis who has battled injury and poor form all tournament. Peter Handscomb has been confirmed as a starter by Justin Langer and Matthew Wade could play. However, Stoinis part of a five-man attack could backfire.

Australia: 1. Aaron Finch (c), 2. David Warner, 3. Steve Smith, 4. Peter Handscomb, 5. Matthew Wade/Glenn Maxwell, 6. Marcus Stoinis, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins, 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Jason Behrendhorff

Dream11 Prediction

Also read: Virat Kohli’s bad run in World Cup knockouts continues

Option 1:

Option 2:

Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head in World Cups: Matches 8, England 2, Australia 6.
• Australia beat England by 64 runs in the group stage.
• England have not beaten Australia in World Cups since 1992. Now would be a great time to break the drought.
• Australia has not won at Edgbaston in 18 years. England has won its past 10 there, across all formats, since 2014.
• Australia have never lost a World Cup Semi Final.

Match Prediction

So much rests on the toss, as well as the impact Marcus Stoinis has with both bat and ball.

Australia would be well served batting Maxwell at seven to give him the finisher role. But, with him a chance to be dropped, England can build further pressure on Australia’s middle order.

Heart says Australia, but if England bat first, it will be mighty hard for the Australians to win.

Also read: New Zealand the first team through to the CWC 2019 Final after a great win over India

Thanks for reading!