Warm Up Match: ICC World Cup 2019 

Australia Vs England Played at Southampton 

Brief Score Card:

Australia 297/9 (SPD Smith 116, DA Warner 43, SE Marsh 30, AT Carey 30, LE Plunket 4/69 ) Beat England 285 All Out in 49.3 overs ( JM Vince 64, JC Buttler 52, CR Woakes 40, Behrendroff 2/43 , KW Richradson 2/51 ) by 12 runs

In the battle of two top dogs of the tournament Australia got better off host England by 12 runs in a sea saw battle. Australia is seeking HEXA while mother country England is still hunting for its first title. Both are tipped reaching top four.  These two teams met in the finals once with Australia winning that contest. Hence the match generated lot of interest 

On a two paced wicket where batting was not easy Australia did post a good total of 297 /9 batting first.  World class batsman SPD Smith scored a magnificent 116 and David Warner got back to tune with 43. 

The target did not seem that big for England batting superbly in present time. Moreover, Australia rested premiere pacers Starc and Cummins rest for the match. Injured English Captain Morgan also did not play. Diverse Australian bowlers bowled to a plan. But fielding looked rugged .Yet England could not take full toll and got all out 285 in 49.3 overs still 12 runs short.

Australia batted first. It was very good warm up for both Warner and Smith returning to international cricket after serving their suspension terms for ball tampering scam. Warner was very cautious in his approach curbing his usual flamboyance while Smith was at his brilliant best cutting, pulling and driving smoothly to picture perfection. Smith scored yet another century 116 giving impression that he is still X-Factor in Australia’s HEXA mission. Warner could go as far as 43. Among others Shaun Marsh and Wicket Keeper Carey contributed 30 each. Among English bowlers L Plunket picked 4/69. Australia scored 297/9 in their allotted overs.
Mid way through it was thought that England in its current form when 350 plus scores were regularly overhauled would get across the target even without Morgan. Moreover two front line Aussie bowlers were not playing in the match. But Australian bowlers showed intent and bowled with purpose. 

If Australia could make justice to their dynamic fielding standard they would win big. But few lapses were here and there. Vince scored 64 and Buttler 52. Off the rest Woakes contributed 40. But none could stay long enough to see the team getting across the finishing tape. Aussies showed their hunger for win and won the tight contest by 12 runs. This according to many may be the dress rehearsal for big event at Lords at the peak of the event. All Australian bowlers did their bit with Richardson picking 2/51. Lyon had a miserly 10 over spell giving away only 31 runs.

BDST: 1041 HRS, MAY 26, 2019
SI