Tournament’s favorite England dethroned Australia with an amazing eight-wicket win at the Edgbaston to meet New Zealand in the Lord’s finals on Sunday, ensuring a first-time winner.
The organizers let firecrackers loose after the triumph of England after the plans for Australia exploded at Edgbaston.
Australia was able to post a score of only 223 runs in 49 overs, which was not enough to put pressure on England. Openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow put on a 124-run partnership in 17.1 overs, capitalizing on the easy target.
Roy, who is in amazing form, struck his third consecutive half-century after scoring 66 against India and 60 against New Zealand. In 50 balls, he achieved his half-century and scored a sparkling 85 off just 65 balls. He battled with such power that in his fluent innings he cracked nine boundaries and five sixes.
Although the striker bowler, Mitchell Starc, tried his utmost, he could only break the partnership as he returned for his third spell. He trapped Bairstow (34) with a ball that nipped in. Roy’s dismissal occurred after drama on the field. Going for a pull off Cummins, he was declared caught by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Roy lost his cool as ultra-edge showed a flat line, so despite the review judgment he refused to leave the field. Will his act cost his position in the final on disciplinary lines, one will have to wait and see.
Roy had taken England to a point from the next 30 overs where they only required another 77 runs. In 12.3 overs, Skipper Eoin Morgan and Joe Root set up an unbroken 79-run partnership.
England announced that their favorite ground is Edgbaston, winning their last 11 matches while since 2002 Australia will stay winless in all formats in this ground.
It was indeed a wonderful display by the England bowlers when Archer trapped Finch with a beautiful inswinger starting from the first ball of the second over. The decision was reviewed by Finch, which also went against him. Australia had a greater shock when Woakes bounced out their coherent star-batsman David Warner (9). The ball caught the bat’s shoulder and Bairstow took the sharp opportunity.
Peter Handscomb, who came in place of injured Usman Khawaja, lasted only 12 balls and paid the cost for leaving a bat and pad gap to reach the stumps.