ENG vs AUS: Australia boost semi-final hopes, knock England out of World Cup 2023 with 33-run win

Australia continued their winning run in the World Cup 2023 and made it five victories on the trot as they beat England by 33 runs in Ahmedabad on November 4.

The match was a significant one, as historically, Australia has had the upper hand in their encounters with England, boasting 87 wins in 155 matches and a 6-3 lead in World Cup meetings. However, England had triumphed in their last World Cup semi-final encounter in 2019.

The Aussies were also aiming to keep their good run of form going and boost their semi-final hopes. For England, it was all about restoring some pride and possibly keep their hopes of qualifying for the Champions Trophy in 2025.

Australia’s first innings saw them lose both openers within the first six overs. Despite this early setback, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith managed to steady the innings. Labuschagne, in particular, played a crucial role, scoring a hard-fought 71 runs, the highest score for Australia in this innings. His performance was instrumental in stabilizing the Australian innings after the early loss of the openers. Steve Smith also contributed with 44 runs.

Following Labuschagne’s dismissal, Cameron Green took over the mantle of getting Australia to a big total. But when he fell for 47, it seemed like England would be able to restrict the score. However, cameos from Marcus Stoinis and Adam Zampa ensured that Australia would get to a total of 287 runs.

England’s bowlers, Chris Woakes, David Willey, and Adil Rashid, were the standout performers, with the ball on the day with Woakes picking up four wickets.

The England chase began in the worst possible fashion as they lost Jonny Bairstow on the very first ball to Mitchell Starc, forcing the defending champions on to the backfoot. Joe Root wouldn’t also last for long as he also fell victim to Starc.

Dawid Malan and Stokes would steady the ship for England, with the former scoring a fifty. However, the opener would fall soon after reaching the landmark as Pat Cummins provided the much-needed breakthrough.

Adam Zampa would then dismiss Jos Buttler after the England skipper went for a rash shot and skied it up in the air with Green completing the catch. Stokes and Moeen Ali would then once again stabilize the innings and would keep the English interested in run chase.

Stokes would get to his 22nd fifty with a huge six and kept the side in the hunt. Zampa was brought back into the attack to dismiss the left-handed batter and he did just that as Stokes fell for 64. Liam Livingstone also wouldn’t last for long, as he fell to Cummins with the score at 174 for six in the 37th over.

The wickets kept stumbling for England as Zampa got his third wicket in the match as Moeen skied straight to Warner to all but end the hopes of a win for the English. This completed an all-round performance for Zampa on the day as he picked three wickets for just 21 runs in his 10 overs.

David Willey and Chris Woakes did provide some entertainment in the end before Willey departed. Woakes was joined by Rashid in the middle and the two men batted to reduce the deficit significantly. However, Stoinis would end Woakes’ stay in the middle with 34 needed from the last two overs.

Hazlewood would get the final wicket to seal the win and knock their arch-rivals officially out of the competition.

Australia will now face Afghanistan in their next game on November 7 in Mumbai. England’s hopes of making it to the Champions Trophy took a big hit with the loss and they will face Netherlands in their next game on November 8.