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England vs Australia, Cricket World Cup 2019: Eoin Morgan's men suffer major blow after 64-run defeat

Re-live all the action from Lord's

Harry Latham-Coyle
Tuesday 25 June 2019 15:04 BST
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It will take time for cricket community to accept David Warner and Steve Smith back, says England's Eoin Morgan

England's faltering World Cup campaign veered further off track as old rivals Australia booked their place in the semi-finals with a 64-run victory at Lord's.

After misadventures against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, England ran aground when chasing for the third time in the tournament, dismissed for an error-strewn 221.

With India and New Zealand still to play, there is now minimal leeway if the world's number one side are to reach the semi-finals of their own competition.

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Welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Cricket World Cup action, a crunch match between rivals England and Australia that could have a big say on how the top four finished up to determine the semi-finals.

The match is due to get underway at 10.30am weather-permitting, with the toss coming up in around 45 minutes.

However, there is already a concern for England with fast bowler Jofra Archer undergoing a fitness test out on the Lord's ground after suffering a side injury.

We'll bring you news on his condition plus the rest of the teams as soon as they're confirmed.

Jack de Menezes25 June 2019 09:16
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The World Cup has really come to life in the last week or so, a couple of shock results and a couple of last over thrillers quieting the critics who predicted little more a string of dead-rubbers and jostling at the top for the tournament's final couple of weeks.

England are very much in a battle for one of the four semi-final spots, defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka leaving them vulnerable to that pair as well as Bangladesh, victorious over Afghanistan at the Hampshire Bowl yesterday to keep themselves very much in touch with the chasing pack.

One win might do it, two wins almost certainly would, but Eoin Morgan's side have been the best team in the world for four years and they'll be targeting three wins to close the group phase in perfect fashion. It will be tough, though, with India and New Zealand still to come, and a rather big fish to fry today.

England against Australia is a fixture that needs little in the way of teeing up, so let's get to it...

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:26
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Lord's made its 2019 World Cup bow on Sunday as Pakistan beat South Africa and you could not ask for a better venue than the Home of Cricket. Short square of the wicket but longer down the ground, the pitch was green like a snooker table yesterday but a final mow and roll and it looks a good'un. Enough there for the bowlers to be interested, certainly.

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:30
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News on Jofra Archer: word from the ground suggests the England quick has come through his fitness test and should be fit to play.

Half-an-hour until the toss when the team news will be confirmed, but that would be a boost for Trevor Bayliss and Eoin Morgan. It sounds like England may go a spinner light today with Liam Plunkett in line for a return in the place of Moeen Ali, assuming Archer is fit.

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:32
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It's muggy, it's overcast, but it is most importantly dry at Lord's an hour out from the scheduled first ball.

Morning drizzle widely forecast has failed to materialise, pleasingly, and though it's darker than dark overhead, it sounds like it might well stay away through the morning and afternoon and we should get a full 100 overs in.

The outfield looks a touch damp after overnight rain, but Lord's has quite magnificent drainage, so an on-time start sounds probable.

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:36
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Jofra Archer is FIT.

England have confirmed the fast bowler will be fit to play after a precautionary fitness test this morning. He didn't bowl or field at training yesterday after feeling some tightness in his side, but he's come through a trundle or two this morning and is ready to go.

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:38
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Jason Roy was back amongst things at training yesterday - a pleasing sight for England supporters. His hamstring is still not fully healed (and it's exact condition is rather shrouded in secrecy with England unwilling to confirm the severity of his injury) but it sounds like he may well be fit for England's next game with India on Sunday.

James Vince will once again deputise in his absence today. The Hampshire batter could do with a score.

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:40
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News news news.

A couple of rumblings on the makeup of the Australia side this morning - Nathan Lyon has marked his run-up and should make his first appearance of the tournament as the lead spinner, while Justin Langer and co. also seem to have punted for Jason Behrendorff's left-arm new ball proficiency ahead of Nathan Coulter-Nile.

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:43
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Ten minutes until toss time. 

Plenty of the pre-match chatter has focused on how the crowd might treat David Warner and Steve Smith, who face England for the first time since their DIY misadventures in Cape Town.

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:51
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For what it's worth, Cameron Bancroft hit a century at Hove yesterday for Durham. Lord's typically attracts a slightly more civilised cricket audience, but I'm sure they'll make themselves known to Warner and Smith today.

Harry Latham-Coyle25 June 2019 09:54

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