RESULT: England Vs Australia | ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Semi-Final 2

Last time England played a Cricket World Cup final was on March 25, 1992. After more than 9000 days, they will have another crack on the elusive title. They were the pre-tournament favourites and can certainly prove their worth when they meet last edition's finalists, New Zealand. What a performance from England. Everything clicked. Bowling, fielding, batting. Here are the highlights and score of the AUS vs ENG match:

REPORT | SCORECARD | IND V NZ HIGHLIGHTS

Eoin Morgan's England will play Kane Williamson's New Zealand in the final on Sunday at Lord's, London, And there will be new world champions. West Indies, Australia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are the other teams to have lifted the precious trophy.

Eoin Morgan hugs Jason Roy to celebrate their win. AP Photo

By the way, this was our primer to the match: The traditional rivals are at it again. Unlike previous encounters, including their ICC Men's World Cup 2019 group match just two weeks ago, this one is expected to be a thriller. Having said that, Edgbaston has not been a happy hunting ground for Australia, with England winning three straight ODIs at the venue. But again, history is not on England's side. Their last win against Australia in a Cricket World Cup came way back in 1992.

Eoin Morgan, winning captain: Absolutely delighted. Having beaten India on this ground, we would have come in with similar confidence... I was six in 1992, I don't remember it, but I have seen a lot of it in the highlights. It is an opportunity for us on Sunday, a huge one at that too. Looking back at where we were in 2015 and looking ahead to Sunday is a dramatic improvement. Everyone in that dressing room must take a lot of credit for that. Making the most of that opportunity in getting the result will be great for us.

Aaron Finch, losing captain: We were just totally outplayed today. The way they set the tone with the ball and getting to 27/3 after ten overs was a huge part of the game. And was too hard for us to get back from. But plenty of positives for us in this World Cup especially given where we were last year when we came here in England. You always want to win, but really proud of the group to get us here. In the last six months or so, there has been a lot of character shown, but it still hurts.

MoM! Woakes set the tone with a fiery spell of fast bowling. AP Photo

Chris Woakes, who took 3 for 20, is the Man of the Match: "Pretty speechless actually, incredible performance form the team, starting with the bowling and the way the guys finished that off was outstanding... We've had momentum from playing two good games against India and New Zealand and carried it on today."

And with that Australia have suffered their first World Cup semi-final defeat. But England are making a huge statement! They have now beaten India, New Zealand and Australia in their last three matches. They have not beaten any of these three sides in the last four editions.

Result: England won by eight wickets

9:46 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff on with his ninth over. And Eoin Morgan hits the first ball for a four to spark wild celebrations in the England camp. For the first since 1992, England will play in the final of the Cricket World Cup. They humble defending champions Australia by eight wickets with 107 balls to spare.

9:44 PM IST: Mitchell Starc on with his ninth over. Joe root hits the second ball through covers. Cracking. He is on 48 off 43. Two more singles and England need two. A dot to Root. And what a stop at backward point by Glenn Maxwell to deny Root the winning runs and a fifty. Six runs from the over. ENG-222/2 after 32 overs. They need two.

9:40 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff on with his eighth over. Joe Root swats the fourth ball to deep mid-wicket boundary. Six runs from the over. ENG-216/2 after 31 overs. They need eight runs.

9:35 PM IST: Nathan Lyon on with his fifth over. Eoin Morgan hits the second and fifth balls for fours. 13 runs from the over. ENG-210/2 after 30 overs. They need 14 more runs.

9:30 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff continues. A maiden over to Eoin Morgan, all sorts of deliveries. But still 31 runs in the last five overs.

9:25 PM IST: Nathan Lyon continues. Two singles, the Eoin Morgan hits the third ball for a four to fine leg, then follows it up with another, this time through cover. Morgan almost holes out at backward point, but checks his shot at the last moment. 11 runs from the over. 50-run stand for Joe Root and Morgan in fifty balls. ENG-197/2 after 28 overs. They need 27 more runs.

9:22 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff returns for his sixth over. In between the deliveries, Eoin Morgan changes his bat. And dispatches the next ball to square-leg boundary for a four. A single to the same area to end the over. Eight runs from the over. ENG-186/2 after 27 overs. They need 38 more runs.

Bleeding! Alex Carey survives that nasty blow on the chin earlier today. AP Photo

Meanwhile, WATCH that Jofra Archer nasty bouncer which hit Alex Carey here.

9:17 PM IST: Nathan Lyon returns for his third over. After negotiating three balls, Eoin Morgan hits the fifth ball for a four, scooping over backward point. Seven runs from the over. ENG-178/2 after 26 overs. They need 46 more runs.

9:13 PM IST: Mitchell Starc continues. Joe Root hits the fourth ball for a four, to fine leg. Five runs from the over. ENG-171/2 after 25 overs. They need 53 more runs.

9:08 PM IST: Pat Cummins on with his seventh over. Eoin Morgan hits the last ball for a four, over mid-off. Eight runs from the over. ENG-166/2 after 24 overs. They need 58 runs.

9:03 PM IST: Mitchell Starc on with his seventh over. Good start to the over, then Eoin Morgan hits the fifth ball for a four, playing over the infield and one bounce to deep cover. Five runs from the over. ENG-158/2 after 23 overs. They need 65 more runs.

8:59 PM IST: Pat Cummins continues even as groundstaff gets ready for rain. Slight precipitation. Two runs from the over. ENG-153/2 after 22 overs. With 20 overs played, there will be a result for sure, rain or not.

8:54 PM IST: Mitchell Starc returns for his sixth over. Four runs from it. ENG-151/2 after 21 overs. They need 73 more runs.

What was that! Jason Roy remonstrates caught behind decision. AP Photo

8:51 PM IST: Pat Cummins returns for his fifth over. Joe Root hits the second ball for a four, behind square. Then Jason Roy (85 off 65) caught behind. Roy won't move. Replays show no bat involved and England already exhausted the review. Umpires literally force him to leave the ground. Contentious! FoW-147/2 (19.4 overs). Eoin Morgan, left-handed batsman, is the new man. Six runs from the over. ENG-147/2 after 20 overs.

8:44 PM IST: Marcus Stoinis continues. Jason Roy hits the first ball for a four, to deep mid-wicket. Five runs from the over. ENG-141/1 after 19 overs. 61 runs in the last five overs. They need 83 more runs.

Greatest of them all. Mitchell Starc. AP Photo

Record Alert. Mitchell Starc becomes the most successful bowler in the World Cup. He has 27 wickets, one more than compatriot Glenn McGrath. Sri Lankan great Chaminda Vaas (23) is third in the all-time list.

8:40 PM IST: Finally, a breakthrough for Australia. Mitchell Starc removes hobbling Jonny Bairstow (34 off 43). LBW. FOW-124/1 (17.2 overs). Joe Root, right-handed batsman, is the new man. And he hits three fours in four balls. 12 runs from the over. ENG-136/1 after 18 overs. They need 88 more runs.

8:34 PM IST: Another bowling change. Marcus Stoinis, right-arm medium pacer, on. Jason Roy continues to punish Aussie bowlers. He hits the last ball for a four, through midwicket. Eight runs from the over. ENG-124/0 after 17 overs. At this stage, Australia managed only 60 runs. England need another 100 runs.

Wrong move. Steve Smith devastated. AP Photo

8:30 PM IST: Bowling change. Steven Smith, leg-spinner, on. Aaron Finch doing everything to break England opening stand. Glenn Maxwell stops a certain four at long-on off the second ball to deny Jason Roy a boundary, but the very next delivery, Maxwell watches the ball sails over his head. Then two more sixes, straight down the ground and over long-on. 21 runs from the over. Finch's desperate move backfires. ENG-116/0 after 16 overs. This is the fourth 100-run stand between Roy and Jonny Bairstow this World Cup. They need 108 more runs.

8:22 PM IST: Mitchell Starc returns, and he is getting the stick. Jonny bairstow hits the first ball for a four, over mid-off. Stand and deliver stuff. Jason Roy hits the third ball for a four, a brilliant off-drive. And another four off the fifth ball, through extra cover. Fifty in fifty balls, with seven fours and two sixes. 15 runs from the over. ENG-95/0 after 15 overs. They need 129 more runs. Drinks.

8:17 PM IST: Pat Cummins continues. Jason Roy hits the third ball for a four, to fine leg. ENG-80/0 after 14 overs. They need 144 more runs.

8:13 PM IST: Nathan Lyon continues. Jonny Bairstow gets a lucky four, beating short third man. Five runs from the over. ENG-76/0 after 13 overs. 36 runs from last five overs. They need 148 more runs.

8:10 PM IST: Eight runs from Cummins' third over. ENG-71/0 after 12 overs. They need 153 runs. Bairstow is fine.

Jonny Bairstow jogs after receiving treatment. AP Photo

8:04 PM IST: Pat Cummins returns for his third over. Half-hearted shout for an LBW against Jonny Bairstow off the third ball. Ball missing the leg stump, and five wides -- down the leg -- off the next ball. Bairstow plays the next ball to square third man for a double, and he pulls up, in discomfort. Pads taken off. Medical assistance arrives.

8:00 PM IST: Third bowling change. Nathan Lyon, off-spinner, into the attack. He gets a raucous welcome from Jason Roy, hitting a six over long-on. Roy then plays a delicate well-measured reverse sweep off the fifth ball for a four. He almost gets a leading edge while trying to kill the spin by coming down the pitch. 13 runs from the over. ENG-63/0 after 11 overs. They need 161 more runs.

7:55 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff continues non-stop. Busy over. Fours singles and a double from it. ENG-50/0 after 10 overs. They need 174 more runs.

7:50 PM IST: Pat Cummins continues. After five dots, Jason Roy hits the last ball for a four past square leg. ENG-44/0 after nine overs. They need 180 more runs.

7:46 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff continues. A shout for LBW against Jason Roy off the third ball. Ball pitches outside leg. Two balls later, Jonny Bairstow hits a four, straight. Sublime timing. Seven runs from the over. ENG-40/0 after eight overs. They need 184 runs.

7:41 PM IST: Bowling change. Pat Cummins, right-arm fast bowler, on. After five dots, Jonny Bairstow plays the last ball to mid-off for a double. ENG-33/0 after seven overs. They need 191 runs.

Jason Roy braving body blows. AP Photo

7:37 PM IST: Mitchell Starc on with his third over. Jonny Bairstow hits the first legal delivery for a four past point, then Jason Roy flicks the fifth ball for a stunning six over fine leg fielder. 12 runs from the over. ENG-31/0 after six overs. They need 193 more runs.

7:32 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff continues. Three runs from his third over. ENG-19/0 after five overs. They need another 205 runs.

7:28 PM IST: Mitchell Starc continues. Jason Roy hits the first and last balls for fours. Ten runs from the over. ENG-16/0 after four overs.

7:23 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff continues. A maiden over to Jonny Bairstow. England need 218 runs.

Shane Warne, Nasser Hussein in attendance. AP Photo

7:18 PM IST: Mitchell Starc, left-arm fast bowler, shares the new ball. One run -- a wide -- from the over. ENG-6/0 after two overs.

7:13 PM IST: Jason Behrendorff, left-arm medium pacer, on with the first over for England. Jason Bairstow hits the fifth ball for a four, through covers. Five runs from the over. Jason Roy is Bairstow's opening partner.

So, England need 224 runs, three more than India managed against New Zealand yesterday. Stay tuned for a thrilling second-half.

6:39 PM IST: Mark Wood on with his ninth over. And hit and miss as Wood cleans up Jason Behrendorff's wickets with a well-directed yorker. Five runs from the over and Australia are dismissed for 223 in 49 overs.

6:35 PM IST: Chris Woakes on with his eight over. Two wickets in two balls. Steve Smith (85 off 119) run out. Brilliant direct hit from wicket-keeper Jos Buttler at the non-striker's end and Smith doesn't ever bother to check. Woakes than had Mitchell Starc caught behind (29 off 36). Jason Behrendorff and Nathan Lyon are the new men. One run from the over. AUS-218/9 after 48 overs.

6:28 PM IST: Mark Wood continues. A single off the fifth ball as Mitchell Starc's top edge lands safely near third man and fifty-run stand in 55 balls. Seven runs from the over. AUS-217/7 after 47 overs.

6:24 PM IST: Chris Woakes returns for his seventh wicket. England take an LBW review against Steve Smith off the last ball. Umpires call. Four runs from the over. AUS-210/7 after 46 overs. 34 runs from the last five overs.

6:18 PM IST: Liam Plunkett on with his eighth over. Mitchell Starc hits the first ball for a six over mid-off boundary. Two singles and 200 up for Australia. Steve Smith plays a brilliant pull shot past mid-wicket for a four to end the over. 14 runs from it. AUS-206/7 after 45 overs.

6:14 PM IST: Mark Wood continues. Mitchell Starc hits the second the ball for a four, straight. Welcome boundary for the Aussies. Six runs from the over. AUS-192/7 after 44 overs.

6:09 PM IST: Liam Plunkett on with his seventh over. Five runs from the over. AUS-186/7 after 43 overs.

6:05 PM IST: Mark Wood continues. Five runs from his sixth over -- three singles and two leg-byes. AUS-181/7 after 42 overs.

6:00 PM IST: Liam Plunkett returns for his sixth over. A single off the last ball. AUS-176/7 after 41 overs.

5:56 PM IST: Mark Wood returns for his fifth over. Four from it. AUS-175/7 after 40 overs. 18 runs from the last five overs.

5:53 PM IST: Jofra Archer on with last over. Five runs from it. His figures: 2/32. Brilliant spell from the 24-year-old. AUS-171/7 after 39 overs.

Record Alert! Joe Root (12) has taken most outfield catches in World Cup, breaking Ricky Ponting's (11 in 2003) record.

Adil Rashid celebrates Pat Cummins' wicket. AP Photo

5:49 PM IST: Adil Rashid gets his third scalp. Pat Cummins (6 off 10), caught by Joe Root. FoW-166/7 (37.4 overs). Mitchell Starc, left-handed batsman, is the new man. Rashid's figures: 3/54. AUS-166/7 after 38 overs.

5:45 PM IST: Jofra Archer on with his ninth over. Four runs from it. AUS-165/6 after 37 overs. Steve Smith is waging a lone battle. He is on 67 off 94.

5:41 PM IST: Adil Rashid on with his penultimate over. Four singles from it. AUS-161/6 after 36 overs.

Another lonely and lone walk for the Big Show. AP Photo

5:38 PM IST: Jofra Archer gets his second wicket. Glenn Maxwell (22 off 23) caught at short cover by Eoin Morgan. FoW-157/6 (34.5 overs). Pat Cummins, right-handed batsman, is the new man. Five runs from the over. AUS-157/6 after 35 overs.

5:32 PM IST: Adil Rashid on with his eight over. Glenn Maxwell hits the fourth ball for a four, by pulling over mid-wicket. Eight runs from the over. AUS-152/5 after 34 overs.

5:29 PM IST: Jofra Archer resumes the proceedings after Drinks. Singles off the last two balls. AUS-144/5 after 33 overs. 26 runs in the last five overs.

Meanwhile, here are five reasons why India lost to New Zealand yesterday. Pretty obvious ones!

5:23 PM IST: Adil Rashid continues. Glenn Maxwell hits the fourth ball for a six, first of the innings, over long-on. Seven runs from the over. AUS-142/5 after 32 overs. Drinks!

"World must speak up for Balochistan," Again. AP Photo

5:19 PM IST: Jofra Archer returns for his sixth over. Glenn Maxwell hits the fourth ball for a four to deep mid-wicket boundary. Five runs from the over. AUS-135/5 after 31 overs.

5:16 PM IST: Adil Rashid on with his sixth over. A single and a double off the first two balls for three runs. AUS-130/5 after 30 overs.

5:12 PM IST: Glenn Maxwell, right-handed batsman, joins Steve Smith in the centre. Ben Stoke continues. Smith hits the fifth ball for a four, though cover. Nine runs from the over. AUS-127/5 after 29 overs.

Adil Rashid celebrates Marcus Stoinis' wicket. AP Photo

5:07 PM IST: Adil Rashid removes Alex Carey (46 off 70) to break a century stand. Caught at midwicket by sub James Vince. 117/4 (27.2). Marcus Stoinis, right-handed batsman, is the new man. And he lasts two balls. LBW. In between, Steve Smith reaches his fifty. Two wickets and two runs from the over. AUS-118/5 after 28 overs.

5:02 PM IST: Ben Stokes returns for his third over. Three runs from the over. AUS-116/3 after 27 overs. They have scored 29 runs in the last five overs as Steve Smith and Alex Carey added 102 in 125 balls for the fourth wicket.

4:59 PM IST: Adil Rashid continues. Alex Carey hits the second ball for a four, a very executed sweep shot. A wide and five singles. 10 runs from the over. AUS-113/3 after 26 overs.

4:54 PM IST: Liam Plunkett on with his fifth over. Two wides and three singles. Hundred up for Australia. AUS-103/3 after 25 overs.

4:50 PM IST: Adil Rashid on with his third over. Two singles and two doubles from it. AUS-98/3 after 24 overs.

4:46 PM IST: Liam Plunkett on with his fourth over. Alex Carey hits the second ball for a four. A brilliant cover drive. Five runs from the over. AUS-92/3 after 23 overs.

4:43 PM IST: Adil Rashid continues. Steve Smith and Alex Carey rotate the strike, taking five singles and a double -- off the third. Seven runs from the over. AUS-87/3 after 22 overs.

4:39 PM IST: Liam Plunkett returns. Steve Smith takes a single off the third ball, then Alex Carey got one off the last ball. AUS-80/3 after 21 overs.

Captain Eoin Morgan and Adil Rashid setting the field. AP Photo

4:35 PM IST: Bowling change. Adil Rashid, leg-spinner, on. Alex Carey hits the fifth ball for a four, driver between cover and mid-off. Six runs from the over. AUS-78/3 after 20 overs.

4:32 PM IST: Mark Wood continues. Steve Smith hits the first ball for a four, pulling it to fine leg. Six runs from the over. AUS-72/3 after 19 overs. His stand with Alx Carey is now worth 58 in 77.

4:28 PM IST: Liam Plunkett continues. Four runs from the over. AUS-66/3 after 18 overs. 30 runs in the last five overs.

4:24 PM IST: Mark Wood continues. Steve Smith hits the last ball for a four, behind square. Seven runs from the over. AUS-62/3 after 17 overs.

4:20 PM IST: Another bowling change. Liam Plunkett, right-arm fast bowler, into the attack. Steve Smith welcomes him with a four, a well-timed straight drive. Alex Carey plays the fifth ball to long-off for three runs. Eight runs from the over. AUS-55/3 after 16 overs.

If you missing out on tennis action, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are meeting AGAIN at Wimbledon. Federer has recorded 100 wins at the hallowed turf, where he won the crown eight times.

It looks bad. Alex Carey talks to teammate Adam Zampa during a drinks break. AP Photo

4:14 PM IST: Mark Wood continues. Singles off the fourth and fifth balls. AUS-47/3 after 15 overs. 20 runs in the last five overs and 33 in 53 for the fourth wicket between Steve Smith and Alex Carey. Drinks.

4:09 PM IST: Ben Stokes continues. Steve Smith hits his first boundary of the match, in 35 balls. Wristy shot from former Australia captain, off the second ball, in front of square. Nine runs from the over. AUS-45/3 after 14 overs.

Building a partnership! Alex Carey and Steve Smith doing the hard work. AP Photo

4:03 PM IST: Double bowling change. Mark Wood, right-arm fast bowler, on. His 50th ODI. Chris Woakes pulls off a stunning stop at fine leg to deny Alex Carey a certain four, restricting it to a double. Coming that from a fast bowler! That happened off the third ball. The very next ball, Ben Stokes stops a very well timed shot at backward point with an acrobatic effort. Seven runs from the over, including three wides. AUS-36/3 after 13 overs.

3:56 PM IST: Bowling change for England. Ben Stokes, right-arm fast medium pacer, on. Steve Smith takes a single off the third ball. Alex Carey then plays out three dots. AUS-29/3 after 12 overs.

3:52 PM IST: Chris Woakes continues. A single off the fourth ball. AUS-28/3 after 11 overs. 14 runs from last five overs.

This is how the first ten overs look like, Woakes | Archer:

4 . . . . . | W . . 1 1 .
. . 4 W . 1 | 1 . . . . .
. 1 . . . . | . . . . . 1
W 1 . . . . | . 3 . 1 . .
. 1lb . . . 4 | . 1 1 1 . .

What an opening 10 overs!#CWC19 | #AUSvENG
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 11, 2019

3:48 PM IST: Jofra Archer on with his fifth over. Three singles from it. AUS-27/3 after 10 overs. This is Australia's lowest score in power-play in the tournament. And third overall, after 24/4 by India and by 27/1 by New Zealand -- both in the first semi-final.

Here's update on Team India. Physio Patrick Farhat's tenure ends with India's semi-final exit from World Cup.

Alex Carey gets treatment. AP Photo

3:45 PM IST: After a brief stoppage, for Carey, Chris Woakes resumes the action. One leg bye off the second ball as Steve Smith fails to connect his flick. Three dots then Carey stoops low and produces a brilliant cover drive for a four. Five runs from the over. AUS-24/3 after nine overs.

3:37 PM IST: Jofra Archer continues. Alex Carey punches the second ball past the bowler and run three. Steve Smith takes a single off the fourth ball. Archer hits Carey on the chin. Medical attention required. Four runs from the over. AUS_-19/3 after eight overs.

How's my bowling? Woakes celebrates Peter Handscomb's wicket. AP Photo

3:33 PM IST: Chris Woakes on with his fourth over. What a beauty. Cleans up Peter Handscomb (4 off 12). FoW-14/3 (6.1 overs). Alex Carey, left-handed batsman, is the new man. A single from the over. AUS-15/3 after seven overs.

3:27 PM IST: Jofra Archer continues. Peter Handscomb takes a single off the last ball. AUS-14/2 after six overs.

3:24 PM IST: Chris Woakes on with his third over. A single off the second ball. Steve Smith faces four dots to end the over. AUS-13/2 after five overs.

3:20 PM IST: Jofra Archer continues, a single off the first ball as Peter Handscomb opens his World Cup account. That's all from the over. AUS-12/2 after four overs.

What a start! England pacers rock Australia. AP Photo

3:16 PM IST: Chris Woakes continues. David Warner hits the third ball for a four, over the bowler's head. Then the wicket. Caught at by Jonny Bairstow with bounce doing the damage. Warner made 9 off 11. FoW0- 10/2 (2.4 overs). Peter Handscomb, right-handed batsman, is the new man. AUS-11/2 after three overs.

3:10 PM IST: Jofra Archer, right-arm fast medium pacer, shares the new ball. And wicket off the first ball. Traps Aaron Finch in front, for a duck. Review and Australia lose it too. FoW-5/1 (1.4 overs) Steven Smith, right-handed batsman, is the new man. Two runs from the over. AUS-6/1 after two overs.

3:05 PM IST: Chris Woakes, right-arm fast bowler, starts the proceedings. David Warner hits the first ball for a four, then dots...

2:55 PM IST: Will there be rain? Light showers expected in the later part of the day.

2:47 PM IST: Meanwhile, here's what former India opener Srikkanth wrote about Ravindra Jadeja's performance in the first semi-final. And you can read all the World Cup stories HERE.

2:42 PM IST: One change for Australia. Peter Handscomb in for Usman Khawaja. England are unchanged.

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Steven Smith, Peter Handscomb, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

Captains Aaron Finch and Eoin Morgan at the toss. AP Photo

2:36 PM IST: Australia won the toss and opted to bat first.

2:25 PM IST: England have a very good recent record against Australia, but lost to them earlier in the World Cup. Both teams will bank on their top order batsmen at Edgbaston today. Here are the five talking points ahead of the match.

2:23 PM IST: Few minutes to the toss. Here are the glimpses from dressing rooms.

Take a peek inside Australia's dressing room at Edgbaston ðÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂÂ#AUSvENG | #CWC19 | #CmonAussie pic.twitter.com/HkLfFvocss
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 11, 2019

The defending champions Australia chase a record-extending sixth world title, while England are eyeing their first final appearance in nearly three decades in the hope to lift the elusive title.

Australia's passage to the last four was all but smooth. Defeats against India and South Africa in their final group game forced Australia to settle for the second place at the end of the group stage. In contrast, hosts and pre-tournament favourites England endured a tumultuous campaign, recovering from damaging losses to Sri Lanka and Australia. They beat other two semi-finalists, India and New Zealand, to finish third in the points table and booked their ticket to the knockout stages. (POINTS TABLE)

In their group meeting at Lord's, Jason Behrendorff and Mitchell Starc tore through England line-up to give Australia a comfortable win despite Ben Stokes' valiant 89. (RESULTS)

Now both the teams will set their targets anew even as last World Cup's finalists New Zealand await the winners for Sunday's final after beating India. (MATCH REPORT)

Australia have taken the showpiece event by storm and have once again shown an affinity to rise to the challenge on the big stage. They were the first to qualify for the knockouts.

Opener David Warner and skipper Aaron Finch have led from the front in the batting department while in the bowling department, Mitchell Starc is proving his worth with some brilliant performances. In Pat Cummins and Jason Behrendorff, Starc has got the perfect support cast.

For England, it is more about staying true to the tag of favourites and not crumbling under the pressure of expectations. Despite having one of the strongest sides, England have faced consistency issues.

With Jason Roy back at the top of the order, things are looking in control once again for the hosts. And providing the solidity are Roy's opening partner Jonny Bairstow and Test captain Joe Root, followed by Ben Stokes. But they do have concerns regarding Jos Buttler's form. In the bowling department too, they Jofra Archer and Mark Wood with Adil Rashid paying the support act.

KEY STATISTICS

World Cup Head-To-Head:

Played: Eight; Australia won six, England won two

Australia won by four wickets at Leeds in 1975
England won by six wickets at London (Lord's) in 1979
Australia won by seven runs at Kolkata in 1987
England won by eight wickets at Sydney in 1992
Australia won by two wickets at Port Elizabeth in 2003
Australia won by seven wickets at North Sound in 2007
Australia won by 111 runs at Melbourne in 2015
Australia won by 64 runs at London (Lord’s) in 2019

ROAD TO SEMIS

AUSTRALIA

Beat Afghanistan by seven wickets at Bristol
Beat West Indies by 15 runs at Nottingham
Lost to India by 36 runs at The Oval
Beat Pakistan by 41 runs at Taunton
Beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs at The Oval
Beat Bangladesh by 48 runs at Nottingham
Beat England by 64 runs at Lord's
Beat New Zealand by 86 runs at Lord's
Lost to South Africa by 10 runs at Manchester

ENGLAND

Beat South Africa by 104 runs at The Oval
Lost to Pakistan by 14 runs at Nottingham
Beat Bangladesh by 106 runs at Cardiff
Beat West Indies by 8 wickets at Southampton
Beat Afghanistan by 150 runs at Manchester
Lost to Sri Lanka by 20 runs at Leeds
Lost to Australia by 64 runs at Lord's
Beat India by 31 runs at Birmingham
Beat New Zealand by 119 runs at Chester-le-Street

HOW THEY FARED IN PREVIOUS SEMIS

AUSTRALIA: Played seven, won six, tied one

Beat England by four wickets at Leeds in 1975
Beat Pakistan by 18 runs at Lahore in 1987
Beat West Indies by five runs at Mohali in 1996
Tied with South Africa at Birmingham in 1999
Beat Sri Lanka by 48 runs at Port Elizabeth 2003
Beat South Africa by seven wickets at Gros Islet in 2007
Beat India by 95 runs at Sydney in 2015

ENGLAND: Played five, won three, lost two

Lost to Australia by four wickets at Leeds in 1975
Beat New Zealand by nine runs at Manchester in 1979
Lost to India by six wickets at Manchester in 1983
Beat India by 35 runs in Mumbai in 1987
Beat South Africa by nine runs at Sydney 1992

FOR THE RECORD

England have won 10 of the last 12 ODIs between the countries, though one of their two defeats in that run came at Lord's earlier in this tournament.

Australia have been involved in seven previous World Cup semi-finals and have progressed to the final every time.

Mitchell Starc needs one wicket to set a record for the most taken at a single World Cup. He sits level with Glenn McGrath's tally of 26 from 2007.

David Warner with 638 runs at an average of 79.75 in nine innings is the second highest run-getter in this World Cup behind India’s Rohit Sharma.

Jofra Archer, who claimed 17 wickets in nine matches, is the joint fourth highest wicket-taker in the World Cup.

WHAT THEY SAID

"We have got a lot of guys in there that can play a lot of roles. It's a real positive in the group, the way guys have chopped and changed and been flexible, particularly in that batting line-up when they have played but also the bowlers who have missed out due to match-ups and conditions," Australia captain Aaron Finch.

"If you look at the past 11 games against them we have won nine. These guys and this group over the last four years, their experience against Australia have been very positive and they have got a lot of success in the bank... we will be drawing on that confidence that, over a long period of time now, we have been successful against Australia and we should take that into Thursday," England captain Eoin Morgan.

SQUADS

England: James Vince, Jonny Bairstow (wk), Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (c), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler (wk), Moeen Ali, Chris Woakes, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Liam Plunkett, Tom Curran, Liam Dawson

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Adam Zampa, Shaun Marsh, Kane Richardson

Steven Smith