Australia v England, ICC World Cup 2015 : As it happened
IBTimes UK will bring you live coverage of the 2015 ICC World Cup Group A clash between Australia and England. Join Naveen Ullal for Over-by-Over report
- England lose their opening game against Australia by 112 runs.
- James Taylor, who remained unbeaten at 98 was the top scorer for England.
- Mitchell Marsh was the star player with ball, picking up five wickets
- Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc picked up two wickets each.
- Chris Woakes dropped Aaron Finch in the first over of the game when he was at 0
- Highest run chase at MCG is 297 runs, which was done by Australia against England in 2011.
- 342-7: Australia's highest total against England in World Cup.
- Steven Finn takes hattrick of last three balls of the innings
That's it from us today. Hope you enjoyed our coverage and we will back tomorrow as we have a big game between India and Pakistan. Please read IBTimes UK's preview between Indian and Pakistan here.
Over 42: England 231 for 10: Anderson 8 (11), Taylor 94 (86)
Hazlewood is reintroduced into the attack and a fumble at mid-on helps Taylor reach to 98, following a boundary. A leg-bye has seen Anderson take strike as Taylor is still two short of a century.
Anderson came close to getting caught, only for the ball to fall just short of Bailey who was at point. Taylor is given out lbw at 98 and he goes for a review, which could be his way to stay alive and score a century.
The third umpire over turns the decision as Taylor stays alive,while James Anderson was run out at the other end. This is a bizarre way to get out as the run out should not have been counted as it should have been a dead ball cause the decision was already given against Taylor.
Over 40: England 221 for 9: Anderson 3 (4), Taylor 94 (86)
Johnson continues to attack from the other end and Anderson gives away the strike to Taylor after taking a single off the first ball. Taylor is looking for a hundred and is 8 runs short of a milestone.
However, Taylor has failed to score from Johnson's three deliveries as there are only two more deliveries left in the 40th over. He then charges towards leg side and gets a couple, which will help him move close towards a century.
Over 39: England 218 for 9: Anderson 2 (3), Taylor 92 (81)
Anderson faces Starc and take the single off the first ball, which brings Taylor back on strike. He flicks one above Haddin for a four as the ball was in the air for a while before running down towards the boundary rope.
Taylor finds the gap and takes a comfortable double after pointing it towards square leg. Bailey, who was at the point had a chance to take a blinder, only to miss him after hitting his fingers.
Taylor finishes the over with a boundary after the ball edges his bat and runs past towards the third man for four. He moves to 92.
Over 38: England 205 for 9: Anderson 1 (2), Taylor 80 (76)
Johnson has picked up two quick wickets as James Anderson is the last man walking to the centre of the park, following Finn's dismissal. Australia are a wicket away from winning their opening game of the 2015 ICC World Cup.
Johnson bowls outside leg stump as the ball passes Haddin for a boundary. That helps England reach 200. Another inside edge allows Anderson give the strike to Taylor to face remaining three deliveries of the over.
Taylor slices towards extra point for a boundary and that takes his individual tally to 80.
Over 37: England 195 for 8: Finn 1 (5), Taylor 76 (73)
Starc's reverse swing unsettles Broad, who goes for a golden duck. Australia are sensing a win now as Steven Finn walks through the middle. The co-host nation are two wickets away from the first victory.
Watson moves to slips and Finn is yet to touch the ball after facing first four deliveries and a single at the end avoids a wicket maiden.
Over 36: England 194 for 7: Broad 0 (0), Taylor 76 (73)
Another change in the bowling as Johnson replaces Starc. The decision pays off immediately as Johnson sends back Woakes to the pavilion. Stuart Broad is the new man and is at the non-striker.
On the other hand, Taylor keeps going as he nudges one towards the third man for a quick double. Johnson bowls another slower delivery and Taylor reads well in advance. He then flicks the bat to put the ball past through the boundary and finally finishes the over with another boundary through the cover.
Over 35: England 184 for 6: Woakes 37 (40), Taylor 66 (69)
Starc replaces Watson for the second over of the batting power play. Taylor smashes the first ball over long-on for a six and he is in fire. Australia are desperate for a wicket at this stage in order to avoid giving any chance for England to settle.
After the six, Starc has come back strong as he has managed to beat Taylor on two occasions. This is followed by two singles. 8 runs from the over.
Over 34: England 176 for 6: Woakes 36 (39), Taylor 59 (64)
England take the batting power play and Marsh is given the ball to continue his spell. Taylor smashes out for six, which helps him reach half century. He then tries to clear the third man, only for the ball to fall just short of him for a single.
Taylor walks down the ground and smacked it over the mid-on player for a boundary. England are utilising the power play to their advantage as it should be seen if this would help in the final outcome of the game.
Over 31: England 157 for 6: Woakes 31 (28), Taylor 45 (57)
Watson comes back into the attack as he bowls his second over. Taylor and Woakes are going strong as they managed over 50 runs partnership between them. Woakes gives it away to the sweeper and gets a single. The first four balls has resulted in four singles as the remaining two deliveries ended with no run.
Over 30: England 153 for 6: Woakes 29 (24), Taylor 43 (55)
Taylor now takes on Maxwell and a reverse sweep towards extra cover helps him get for more runs. Australia need a wicket in order to give England any sort of momentum. Woakes now joins Taylor as he clears the fine leg and the ball rushes towards the boundary. 12 runs from the over.
Over 29: England 141 for 6: Woakes 21 (21), Taylor 38 (51)
Taylor charges down the ground and the long-off player tries to clear the ball at mid on, only to be unsuccessful at the end. Taylor continues to fire and this time through third-man, forcing Starc to save the ball from running towards the boundary.
Steve Smith has been expensive as he has conceded 11 runs from his second over.
Over 27: England 124 for 6: Woakes 16 (16), Taylor 27 (45)
Steve Smith is introduced by Bailey as he is search of wickets to seal the game as soon as possible. Just two runs of his first four balls as Woakes manages to pierce the ball through Watson and Warner at third man and gully for three runs. Taylor then smashes one towards deep mid wicket for a rare boundary.
Over 26: England 115 for 6: Woakes 12 (12), Taylor 22 (43)
Hazlewood had a chance to get his first wicket of the day, only to be denied by Finch who dropped the catch. Taylor who tried to hook towards square leg, saw Finch drop an easy catch as per his standards.
Australia have gone for a review and it is Taylor once again who is at the crease. The third umpire is taking longer than expected and then goes with the on-field umpire, meaning Taylor will continue in the middle.
Over 25: England 113 for 6: Woakes 12 (12), Taylor 20 (37)
Starc continues from the other end as Bailey has rotated his bowlers so far on regular basis. The Three Lions are playing very safe and not trying to take risks, something that they should think of probably later in the innings, if they do not lose further wickets. Six runs from the over, which will not hurt Australia.
Over 22: England 94 for 6: Woakes 1(3), Taylor 12 (28)
Marsh continues to attack and he strikes once again to dismiss Buttler. Smith, who was in mid off takes a brilliant catch to send the English wicket-keeping batsman back to the pavilion.
Chris Woakes joins Taylor in the middle as Marsh continues to impress. A wicket and three runs from the over.
Over 21: England 91 for 5: Buttler 10 (11), Taylor 10 (26)
A boundary after a very long time as Buttler reverse sweeps towards third man and manages to beat the fielder. Both Taylor and Buttler needs to hold their ground if England needs to have any hope of avoiding a defeat today. A good over for the Three Lions as they have got 10 runs of it.
Over 17: England 72 for 4: Morgan 0 (4), Taylor 4 (15)
The crowd is behind the local team as Johnson continue bowling his fifth over. He has two slips in place as he goes on an attack. Can he get his first wicket of the World Cup today?
Johnson has constantly troubled England batsmen and he is continued to do so. Bell was the only player who went on to attack, while others have struggled to play him today. Only one extra wide has been conceded in this over.
Taylor taps the ball and Johnson collects it and wastes no time in hitting the stumps. Luckily for Taylor, he was well safe.
Over 15: England 67 for 4: Morgan 0 (1), Taylor 1 (6)
Australia are going for a kill as Bailey brings back Johnson into the attack to rattle England. Two new batsmen, Taylor and Morgan in the middle and one more dismissal will lead to end further trouble for the English side.
First four deliveries have gone without a score and change of place in the fifth delivery leads to the same result. One more dot ball will see Australia clinch the second maiden over of the match. However, Taylor takes a quick single and it's time for drinks break.
Over 14: England 66 for 4: Morgan 0 (1), Taylor 0 (0)
Marsh continues to attack as he is in search of another wicket today. Just one run from the first three balls and Bell is on strike. Bell tries to hook one towards square leg. Unfortunately for him he finds Starc, who takes a comfortable catch.
Trouble for England as their skipper Eoin Morgan walks in the middle to save his side now. Root was in strike and he gives away his wicket as Haddin runs towards fine leg to take a diving catch. England are in all sort of trouble as James Taylor walks in the middle.
Over 13: England 65 for 2: Root 4 (9), Bell 32 (43)
Change in bowling as Shane Watson replaces Johnson. The all-rounder failed to impress with the bat as he caught behind for a duck. He will have a point to prove with the ball against England.
Bell hooks Watson towards deep square leg, only to be covered by Johnson. Despite that, England take two runs. He does it once again on the off-side as he gets two more runs after nudging it towards third man.
England are going at five runs per over and the required rate has now gone above 7.50 per over.
Over 12: England 60 for 2: Root 3 (8), Bell 32 (38)
After picking up the wicket of Ballance, Marsh continue to attack as Bell is the man who looks dangerous in the middle. He has already settled and his wicket will see them further boost their confident.
Bell just nudges to third man for an easy single. Marsh's slower delivery see Root just knick it and results in an inside edge, before keeper Haddin stops it from running away to the boundary. Bell cuts it off to finish the over with a boundary.
Over 11: England 54 for 2: Root 2 (5), Bell 27 (34)
The end of powerplay. Johnson will continue from the other end and he already creates trouble for Root, who has just walked into the crease. Two quick deliveries goes past Root's face and he decides to duck for the second one. No run from the first three deliveries.
Johnson bowls outside off stump and Root uses the pace to send it to third man for a single. Bell tries to take the aerial route and smashes one to the extra cover, but was unable to get it close to the rope. He gets three runs.
Over 10: England 50 for 2: Root 1 (1), Bell 24 (33)
Mitchell Marsh replaces Josh Hazlewood and he is Australia's fourth seamer. Bell swings the bat towards square leg and ends with just a single. Fine-leg up and he has to be careful on the short one.
Ballance just taps it as he is looking to read Marsh, before deciding to charge against him. However, his innings comes to an end after giving a simple catch to Aaron Finch, who was at silly mid-off.
The gamble to play Ballance instead of Ravi Bopara has failed and now the lower order batsman has to bail England out from suffering a defeat. Joe Root joins Bell in the middle.
Over 9: England 48 for 1: Ballance 9 (10), Bell 23 (31)
Bell decides to take on Johnson and he smashes him over mid-off for his third boundary. The pace also helped him clear the fielder. Bell tries to take a quick single as the bowl goes past the second slip fielder. He manages to get back on time before Watson hits the stumps.
Bell tries to send the ball past George Bailey at mid-off, only to be stopped by the Australian skipper by diving towards his right.
Over 8: England 43 for 1: Ballance 9 (10), Bell 18 (25)
Hazlewood continues from the other end, as Starc has been replaced by Johnson. With pressure on England, it could possibly be the best option to finish most of his overs early in the innings.
Hazlewood has been a target for English batsmen and letting him bowl to new batsman Ballance could help Australia. So far just 2 runs of the eight over.
Over 7: England 41 for 1: Ballance 9 (5), Bell 17 (24)
Bailey introduces Mitchell Johnson into the attack, who replaces Starc in the seventh over. Bell faces him and he lets the ball go past him. Johnson can be lethal and destroy any opposition.
Bell places one towards fine leg for a single. Wanted two runs, but was sent back by Ballance. Both the batsmen are trying to read Johnson and are not looking to take on him in his first over.
Over 6: England 38 for 1: Ballance 8 (4), Bell 17 (19)
Hazlewood is not getting line right as he pulls one for a double. He then places one towards square leg for another double, before just placing one to fine-leg for a single. Nine runs of the over as Ballance's nudges one towards cover for a boundary.
Over 5: England 29 for 1: Ballance 4 (2), Bell 11 (12)
Starc is trying to restrict England from gaining momentum as he is yet to conceded after two balls in his third over. Bell is being cautious and just rotating the strike by taking a single.
Ali hands in a simple catch to Bailey, who was just at mid-off. Gary Ballance walks in the middle and came close to getting out. Inside edge of Starc's quick delivery results in an inside edge and then runs to the boundary.
Over 4: England 24 for 0: Ali 10 (12), Bell 11 (12)
Bell does not waste time as he smashes Hazlewood towards the off-side for a boundary. Bell is too strong on the off-side and the Australian bowler should be aware of the same. Hazlewood has now bowled third wide ball in his second over and he needs to cut it down in order to give away unnecessary runs.
Ali needs to join Bell in order to help the score board ticking. So far he has managed just 2 runs of 10 balls. Full length ball and smashes it over the top to score his first four of the game.
Hazlewood invited Ali to smash him out and Ali gives the same treatment as he scores his second consecutive boundary.
Over 3: England 10 for 0: Ali 2 (9), Bell 6 (9)
Starc continues from other end as Bell faces him for the first time in this game. Australia are showing the aggression and they still have their star bowler Mitchell Johnson in the team, who will join him later in the game.
Outside edge and Bell manages to just send the ball past the second slip and the ball rushed towards the boundary even before the fielder could come close to it. It is England's first four of their innings.
Bell takes a single after nudging it to the third-man and that brings Ali on strike, who finishes the over with a dot ball.
Over 2: England 5 for 0: Ali 2 (8), Bell 1 (4)
Josh Hazlewood has been handed the ball to bowl from the other end and England open their scoring with a wide. Good line and length from the Australian and Bell is trying to read the game before taking on the bowler.
Bell swings his bat and gets a single as ball goes to the fine-leg for a single. Hazlewood bowls second wide of his over. He five runs concedes of his first over as Ali places it to thr third-man for two runs.
Over 50: Australia 342 for 9: Starc 0 (0)
Finn balls outside off stump and Haddin manages to clear the fielder at point. Broad was forced to come from third-man to clear the ball from reaching the boundary. Australia took three runs, which allows Maxwell back in strike.
He smashes one above cover for his 10 four of his innings. 7 runs have come off first two balls and they need nine runs to reach 350. However, Haddin was caught by Broad at third-man with two balls to spare. Maxwell departs after Joe Root takes a fantastic catch on the penultimate ball of the innings. Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc are in the crease with one ball to go.
Hattrick of Finn as Johnson departs after giving a simple catch to Anderson of the last ball, Finn finishes the game with five wickets.
Over 49: Australia 334 for 6: Haddin 28 (12), Maxwell 61 (37)
With Maxwell on one end, Haddin is taking things in his own hands as he charges Anderon for a boundary towards cover. He then pierces through the two fielders third man and behind point for his second boundary of the over. Nine runs have come of the first 3 balls.
Maxwell tries to clear Ballance who was at long-on, only to miss for a catch and still manages to get a boundary.
Over 48: Australia 321 for 6: Haddin 19 (9), Maxwell 57 (34)
Broad has come to bowl his final over and with 3 overs remaining, Australia will be looking for a total of 350 runs. Haddin plays intelligent cricket as he just taps the ball past the first slip and gets a boundary of the first ball.
He punches one towards long-on, only for the Ballance to stop the ball from crossing the rope. Haddin tries to clear the ball past the third-man fielder who is within the circle and he manages to score the second boundary of the over. Broad finishes the over with a bouncer. 11 runs of it.
Over 47: Australia 310 for 6: Haddin 8 (4), Maxwell 57 (33)
Haddin takes a quick single to bring in-form batsman Maxwell on strike as Maxwell manages to score two runs. Haddin is looking for a no ball, but it looks clear and he adds another two more runs to his overall tally.
The wicket-keeping batsman joins the party as he smashes one through mid-wicket for a boundary. That helps him reach 3000 runs in ODIs. He finishes the over with a single.
Over 46: Australia 299 for 6: Haddin 0 (0), Maxwell 54 (31)
Marsh tried to clear Finn's first ball over the long-off fielder, only to be caught by Joe Root. His dismissal allows Brad Haddin walk in the middle, while Maxwell scored a double and boundary in the next two deliveries.
Maxwell takes a top edge and the keeper manages to get his finger tips. However, Buttler was unable to stop the ball from reach the boundary. He then punishes Finn by sending the next two deliveries for boundaries towards fine leg. Maxwell gets his half century in the same over.
Over 45: Australia 281 for 5: Marsh 23 (19), Maxwell 36 (26)
Marsh wastes no time as he smashes Woakes towards mid-wicket. He then continues for another four behind the bowler as that results in 8 runs of first 2 balls. This was followed by another short towards leg side, only for Joe Root to cover it near the rope.
Good over for Australia as they managed 13 runs of the over as Maxwell just beats the keeper through leg side for third boundary of the over.
Over 44: Australia 266 for 5: Marsh 12 (15), Maxwell 32 (24)
Anderson has two overs left and Morgan hands the ball to him. First ball ends in no run before another slower ball leads to a quick single. There was a chance of a run-out, should the aim had been directed towards the stumps.
Another short ball from Anderson forces Maxwell and Australia to settle for another singe. Just three runs of the first four deliveries before adding another single towards long-on. Maxwell stretches and smashes Anderson's half volley over extra cover for a boundary.
Over 43: Australia 258 for 5: Marsh 10 (13), Maxwell 26 (20)
Marsh joins the party as he smashes another one down the ground towards long-on for a boundary. Marsh then tries to flick for another boundary, only for the ball to reach the fielder, resulting in a single.
7 runs have come off the first five balls and Maxwell finishes the over by a single leg-bye.
Over 42: Australia 250 for 5: Marsh 4 (10), Maxwell 25 (17)
Nine more overs to go and Broad in back into the attack. He has one more over after this and has managed to restrict Australia in two singles of the first part of the over. Maxwell clears the mid-on fielder and smashes the ball for his second boundary. He sends the ball once again in the same direction and ends up with the same result.
Over 39: Australia 230 for 5: Marsh 1 (4). Maxwell 8(5)
Inside edge leads to another dismissal. This time it's Bailey as Finn sends another batsman back to the pavilion. Mitchell Marsh is the new batsman walking in the middle. A very good over for England as they conceded only a run from the first five balls. Maxwell finishes the over with another single.
Over 37: Australia 219 for 4: Maxwell 1(1), Bailey 51 (64)
Bailey moves on half century as he takes three runs of Finn's first delivery. There was a chance to get him run-out as Finn fumbles the ball, allowing Bailey to reach comfortably. Two chances goes begging and this could prove costly for the Three Lions.
Finch then places the ball in between two fielders by taking the pace of the ball. He manages a couple before being run out while taking a quick single. Glen Maxwell walks into the crease now and is at the non-strikers end. Bailey takes a single and gets Maxwell on strike and he sends the ball to third man to open his account.
Over 36: Australia 210 for 3: Bailey 47 (62), Finch 133 (126)
Partnership is 126 of 148 and the two are going strong. Finch tries to pierce the two fielders within the circle and manages to get two runs. He then manages reverse sweep of Ali for a boundary towards point.
England had a chance to get Finch out and a bad throw from the fine-leg allowed him to get back. He then smashes one over deep mid-wicket for a six before smashing one towards cover to finish the over with another boundary.
It's been a very expensive over for England as they conceded 16 runs of it.
Over 35: Australia 194 for 3: Bailey 47 (62), Finch 117 (120)
After disappointing last few innings, Bailey has managed to regain his form as his best knock in the last five innings was 10 runs. Bailey takes a single of the first ball and Finch does the same to give the strike back to Bailey.
Bailey's misjudgement ends the ball land in between two players, which saw England give away an opportunity to break the partnership.
Over 34: Australia 188 for 3: Bailey 43 (58), Finch 115 (118)
Woakes is re-introduced into the attack and he has a job to stop Finch from doing further damage. However, both Finch and Bailey are going strong and Bailey now takes the aerial route and manages to clear the mid-off for a boundary. He finishes the over with a single.
Over 32: Australia 176 for 3: Bailey 34 (52), Finch 112 (112)
Root aims at the stumps as Finch and Bailey runs for the double. His aim hits the stumps at the non-striker's end, but Bailey has made it comfortably. This is the second over of the batting powerplay.
Finch takes a single of the penultimate delivery before Bailey finishes the over with a nother single.
Over 31: Australia 172 for 3: Bailey 33 (51), Finch 109 (107)
Finch places the ball to the fine leg for four and he reaches his hundred. Woakes would be biting his lips very hard has he knows his drop catch when Finch was at 0 could prove the difference at the end.
Finch's beautiful drive down the ground helps him score his second boundary of Finn's over. He finishes the over with a single. Good over for Australia.
Over 22: Australia 117 for 3: Bailey 20 (32), Finch 68 (72)
Bailey scores his first boundary of his innings as he beats long leg comfortably. He then walks down the pitch and misjudges the shot, only to avoid being caught. Finch then paddle-sweeps during the fifth ball for another boundary and finishes the over with a single.
Over 21: Australia 107 for 3: Bailey 15 (28), Finch 63 (70)
The run rate has dropped drastically in the last few overs as Australia have managed just nine runs in last 18 balls. So far this over, no run has been scored from the first four deliveries. Pressure is on Finch now to get the score board ticking as he manages to take double after placing towards fine-leg. Just two of the over.
Over 20: Australia 105 for 3: Bailey 15 (28), Finch 61 (64)
England introduce spin into the attack as Morgan hands the ball to spinner Moeen Ali. Australia may take some time to settle, before charging him. So far Finch has not managed to score a run in the first four balls, only to take a single in the fifth ball by placing the ball to long-on. Finch ends the over with another dot ball. Just one run from the over.
Over 16: Australia 93 for 3: Bailey 7 (15), Finch 56 (53)
Mix-up between Finch and Bailey forces striker Bailey to get back to his end. Australia were lucky as England's throw is nowhere close to the stumps. Bailey slices through the point for three runs. Finch takes another single as Australia gets six runs from the over.
Over 15: Australia 86 for 3: Bailey 4 (12), Finch 53 (50)
Finn and Woakes are attacking Australia as Morgan has not used his spinners so far in this game. The host nation are struggling to find the gaps since Smith's dismissal, but are managing to rotate the strike. Already managed five from the first five balls. Now that calls for a drinks break.
Over 11: Australia 72 for 3: Bailey 1 (2), Finch 42 (36)
Smith smashes across mid-on for his first boundary. However, he could not stay in the middle for long as inside edge of Woakes' delivery hits the stump. Australia have lost three quick wickets, which sees captain George Bailey join Finch in the middle.
England have got their tails up now and MCG has gone silent in the last 2-3 overs. Bailey takes a single and Finch ends the over with another single towards the fine-leg.
Over 10: Australia 66 for 2: Smith 1 (6), Finch 41 (35)
Broad continues to attack and this time he gets one slip. Finch is quick between the wickets as he manages to get past the point fielder for a couple. Australia have lost the momentum and England are looking to attack them.
Smith opens his account as he nudges one towards short mid-wicket for a single. Finch and Warner are rotating the strike in order to regain the momentum. Finch finishes with a dot ball, six runs off the over.
Over 9: Australia 60 for 2: Smith 0 (5), Finch 36 (30)
Morgan introduces Chris Woakes, who replaces Anderson. Finch manages three runs in the first three deliveries, bringing Smith back to strike. The new batsman is being very cautious and is taking time to settle in the middle. This is helping England now as just three runs comes off this over.
Over 8: Australia 57 for 2: Smith 0 (2), Finch 33 (27)
Finch takes a single. Warner hooks one towards leg-side for a boundary as he misses the maximum as the ball just falls short of the rope. Broad strikes back as he knocks the stumps out to send Warner back to the pavilion. Shane Watson could last only one ball before giving a simple catch to keeper Buttler.
Broad could have got his hattrick, only to be denied by Steve Smith. A very good over for England as it allows them to get hold of the game now.
Over 6: Australia 47 for 0: Warner 18 (16), Finch 27 (20)
Mix up in the middle as Warner and Finch's miscommunication could have ended in Warner getting runout. Luckily for him and Australia, the danger was averted. Broad bowls outside the off stump and Finch slashes it to the third man for a single.
Warner's lucky once again as inside edge forces Ballance to dive in save a run for his side as the left-handed batsman gets 3 runs. Change of pace from Broad and Woakes in the squad-leg dives towards his right to save four runs.
Finch finishes with a single. Six runs from the over including a wide.
Over 5: Australia 41 for 0: Warner 15 (15), Finch 25 (15)
Finch finds the middle of the bat and smashes one towards long-off. He doesn't bother to move and watches it with elegance as Anderson tries to stop him. Finch once again manages a couple after placing towards fine leg.
Finch goes quickly on the back-foot and tries to pierce through the cover and adds three more runs. Warner smashes one towards mid-off for his first boundary, which is then followed by another four to end the expensive over.
Over 4: Australia 23 for 0: Warner 7 (13), Finch 16 (11)
Finch decides to take an aerial route as he smashes Broad for long-on and it results in Australia's first boundary. He then tries to find the gap way past the mid-wickets fielder, but lack of power could not yield him the second boundary. However, he manages three runs.
Warner then places one towards square of the wicket and adds three runs to his and his side's overall tally. Finch hooks for his second boundary of the over. This is turning out to be an expensive over for England.
Over 3: Australia 8 for 0: Warner 4 (11), Finch 4 (7)
The drop catch in the very first over of the match is a very good to start the proceedings. It should be seen how Finch being dropped while he was at 0 would end up today at MCG. Anderson is attacking Warner, who is being very cautious. No run in the first four balls.
Warner nudges into the on-side and gets two runs and so far England are having a great starts. Good over for England, just two of it.
Over 2: Australia 6 for 0: Warner 2 (5), Finch 4 (7)
Stuart Broad joins Anderson as the two will lead England's bowling attack. Warner takes of a single after just nudging one to fine leg. Finch does the same, but ends up getting one more run than Warner and also retains the strike.
Nervy start for both sides as Warner and Finch are looking to settle in the middle.
TEAM NEWS
Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, George Bailey (c), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
England: Ian Bell, Moeen Ali, James Taylor, Gary Ballance, Eoin Morgan (c), Joe Root, Jos Buttler (wk), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Steve Finn, James Anderson
Eoin Morgan: "Shouldn't change through the game, bit of a storm that came through so maybe a bit of moisture as well. Ballance is in, batting at No. 3. Ravi's out. We've gone for the extra batter today.Everybody has been excited for this for some time now, so it will actually be a matter of holding guys back!"
Cricinfo Says Ravi Bopara is likely to miss and he will be replaced by Gary Ballance. Click here to read IBTimes UK's England profile for ICC World Cup 2015.
© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.
- MOST POPULAR IN Sports
