Jon Pierik assesses how the Australians fared in a 64-run win over England at Lord's.
David Warner 7 (Tournament total 48.5)
53 off 61 balls
The former vice-captain was again in superb touch, passing 50 for the fifth time. There were a couple of fortunate moments early but he got going with six boundaries until deceived by a ball that kicked and led to him punching to backward point. Now just behind Aaron Finch at the top of the tournament's run-scoring board.
Aaron Finch 9 (60)
100 off 116 balls
Is arguably in the form of his life. Passed 50 for the fifth time here and went on to enjoy his second century in three innings. Was given a life when dropped on 15. Was filthy when he got out caught off a top edge the delivery after reaching his ton. Captaincy was again spot on, bringing back strike weapons Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff at the right times.
Australia's captain Aaron Finch.Credit:AP
Usman Khawaja 4 (32.5)
23 off 29 balls
Now appears to be settled at No.3 but was unable to deliver as he had done against Bangladesh. Should have been stumped on 9 but Jos Buttler squandered a regulation chance off Adil Rashid. However his time was up when Ben Stokes upped the ante and speared one through his defence, the Australian looking to play too square to the leg side. Took a nice catch in the deep.
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Steve Smith 5 (45)
38 off 34 balls
This was a mixed knock from the former captain. There were five boundaries but also the unfortunate runout of Marcus Stoinis (see below). Smith isn't a natural power hitter – his best work is done having found the gap – so it was debatable whether he should have looked to clear the rope when taking on Chris Woakes, only be to caught by Jofra Archer at long on.
Glenn Maxwell 5 (34)
12 off 8 balls
Came in at a crucial time with Australia 3-185 in the 36th over and looked to get a move on, thumping 10 runs off successive deliveries from Archer. But, as has too often been an issue through this tournament, Maxwell couldn't deliver the big score he craved. Was caught in two minds and tickled a thin edge through to Buttler off Mark Wood.
Marcus Stoinis 5 (28.5)
8 off 15 balls and 1-29 off seven overs.
The scene was set for the robust all-rounder to pound an innings-shaping score, but his afternoon ended abruptly in a run-out mix-up with Steve Smith. Who was to blame? Well, Smith had driven wide of cover and the pair had taken a single. Stoinis, running to the danger end on a second run, which technically meant it was his call, set off, but Smith had no interest and barely moved. Both men ended up at the same end. As one commentator quipped: "Smith had joined the self-preservation society by putting his bat in".
Alex Carey 7 (48)
38 not out off 27 balls
This was a brilliant knock from the vice-captain. As he did against the West Indies, Carey delivered crucial runs when the innings had threatened to fall apart at 6-250 in the 46th over. There were five boundaries in this cameo, including one off the final delivery. He has the qualities of Michael Bevan when it comes to finishing.
Pat Cummins 4 (45.5)
1 off 4 balls and 0-41 off eight overs
Has lost all confidence with the bat. Hailed as an emerging all-rounder last summer, he has 13 runs in five innings here. Was wicketless with the ball in an unusually quiet performance.
Mitchell Starc 8.5 (51)
4 not out off six balls and 4-43 off 8.4 overs.
Arguably the player of the tournament, Starc was again influential, uRead More – Source
Jon Pierik assesses how the Australians fared in a 64-run win over England at Lord's.
David Warner 7 (Tournament total 48.5)
53 off 61 balls
The former vice-captain was again in superb touch, passing 50 for the fifth time. There were a couple of fortunate moments early but he got going with six boundaries until deceived by a ball that kicked and led to him punching to backward point. Now just behind Aaron Finch at the top of the tournament's run-scoring board.
Aaron Finch 9 (60)
100 off 116 balls
Is arguably in the form of his life. Passed 50 for the fifth time here and went on to enjoy his second century in three innings. Was given a life when dropped on 15. Was filthy when he got out caught off a top edge the delivery after reaching his ton. Captaincy was again spot on, bringing back strike weapons Mitchell Starc and Jason Behrendorff at the right times.
Australia's captain Aaron Finch.Credit:AP
Usman Khawaja 4 (32.5)
23 off 29 balls
Now appears to be settled at No.3 but was unable to deliver as he had done against Bangladesh. Should have been stumped on 9 but Jos Buttler squandered a regulation chance off Adil Rashid. However his time was up when Ben Stokes upped the ante and speared one through his defence, the Australian looking to play too square to the leg side. Took a nice catch in the deep.
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Steve Smith 5 (45)
38 off 34 balls
This was a mixed knock from the former captain. There were five boundaries but also the unfortunate runout of Marcus Stoinis (see below). Smith isn't a natural power hitter – his best work is done having found the gap – so it was debatable whether he should have looked to clear the rope when taking on Chris Woakes, only be to caught by Jofra Archer at long on.
Glenn Maxwell 5 (34)
12 off 8 balls
Came in at a crucial time with Australia 3-185 in the 36th over and looked to get a move on, thumping 10 runs off successive deliveries from Archer. But, as has too often been an issue through this tournament, Maxwell couldn't deliver the big score he craved. Was caught in two minds and tickled a thin edge through to Buttler off Mark Wood.
Marcus Stoinis 5 (28.5)
8 off 15 balls and 1-29 off seven overs.
The scene was set for the robust all-rounder to pound an innings-shaping score, but his afternoon ended abruptly in a run-out mix-up with Steve Smith. Who was to blame? Well, Smith had driven wide of cover and the pair had taken a single. Stoinis, running to the danger end on a second run, which technically meant it was his call, set off, but Smith had no interest and barely moved. Both men ended up at the same end. As one commentator quipped: "Smith had joined the self-preservation society by putting his bat in".
Alex Carey 7 (48)
38 not out off 27 balls
This was a brilliant knock from the vice-captain. As he did against the West Indies, Carey delivered crucial runs when the innings had threatened to fall apart at 6-250 in the 46th over. There were five boundaries in this cameo, including one off the final delivery. He has the qualities of Michael Bevan when it comes to finishing.
Pat Cummins 4 (45.5)
1 off 4 balls and 0-41 off eight overs
Has lost all confidence with the bat. Hailed as an emerging all-rounder last summer, he has 13 runs in five innings here. Was wicketless with the ball in an unusually quiet performance.
Mitchell Starc 8.5 (51)
4 not out off six balls and 4-43 off 8.4 overs.
Arguably the player of the tournament, Starc was again influential, uRead More – Source
