Travis Head was out early in the first innings for Australia
(REUTERS)
England have one last chance to restore some pride in their Cricket World Cup campaign, and make a push for a place in the top eight, when they take on the old enemy Australia in Ahmedabad.
Jos Buttler’s side have fallen far short of all expectations surrounding the defending champions when they took off for India at the start of October, having recorded just one win from their six matches so far at the tournament.
Ben Stokes, who came out of retirement to help the team defend their title, admitted on the eve of the Australia match that England have been ‘crap’, and it is a statement that is hard to argue with.
England have one big opportunity against Pat Cummins’ side to restore some pride to the side, especially after the Australia captain could barely suppress laughter when asked about Buttler’s side’s fortunes at the end of October.
Follow all the live action in the blog below and get tips and a betting preview here:
Australia 64-2 (14) Smith 21, Labuschagne 13, Livingstone 0-3 (1)
Liam Livingstone has been brought on as England are in the hunt for a third wicket, interesting decision to go with him rather than the first-choice spinner in Rashid.
Three runs from it, with the batters not going after him, it might be a good time for him to get through a few overs.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:38
Australia 61-2 (13) Smith 19, Labuschagne 12, Wood 0-6 (2)
Wood has been bowling quickly, but he has struggled for breakthroughs in this tournament, although today he has not gone for many runs.
Three runs from that over.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:35
Australia 58-2 (12) Smith 17, Labuschagne 11, Woakes 2-30 (6)
Smith has edged it but short of Joe Root and straight into the ground.
But Labuschagne has eased that pressure a bit with a four, only his second of the match so far.
The next one has also just evaded Root at slip and Rashid dives and prevents a boundary.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:30
Australia 50-2 (11) Smith 15, Labuschagne 6, Wood 0-3 (1)
Wood comes into the attack for the first time, and hits over 90mph almost immediately.
Three runs from his first over, since the loss of the openers, Australia’s run-scoring has just been pegged back slightly.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:26
Australia 48-2 (10) Smith 13, Labuschagne 5, Woakes 2-23 (5)
Just the one from the over from Woakes, this is good pressure from England in the powerplay.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:21
Australia 47-2 (9) Smith 12, Labuschagne 5, Willey 0-21 (5)
Slightly overpitched from Willey and Labuschagne has hit that for four.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:17
Australia 41-2 (8) Smith 11, Labuschagne 1, Woakes 2-22 (4)
Another good over from Woakes, just the two runs from it.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:12
Australia 39-2 (7) Smith 9 Labuschagne 1, Willey 0-16 (4)
Smith has inside-edged it but it’s fallen safe, he was trying to run it down to third man.
Labuschagne and Smith was always likely to slightly stem the flow of runs, and that was a good maiden.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:08
Wicket! Warner out for 15! ct Willey b Woakes – Australia 38-2
Warner has smashed Woakes for a big six down the ground!
And he has gone, trying for another big shot and he skies it straight into the hands of David Willey!
That is just what England want.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 09:01
Australia 32-1 (5) Warner 9, Smith 9, Willey 0-16 (3)
Willey has tightened up things here, until the last ball of the over which Smith hits for four.
Sonia Twigg4 November 2023 08:58
Olivia Martin is a dedicated sports journalist based in the UK. With a passion for various athletic disciplines, she covers everything from major league championships to local sports events, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis.
