Complete performance underlines Australia’s World Cup claims Steve Waugh

Special Article on ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 by Steve Waugh (Post Aus-Eng Match) Without doubt this was a commanding performance by a team that is gathering confidence and momentum at exactly the rig

He shapes as a potential match-winner for Australia in the back end of the competition.

The Australian selectors must be congratulated for the bold selection of Jason Behrendorff and the faith they showed in presenting him with the new ball.

It had an immediate impact, with Behrendorff producing one of the deliveries of the tournament - an unplayable late in swinger that sent a bewildered James Vince back to the pavilion and destabilised England’s chase.

His five-wicket hall was not only significant for its impact on the match, but his ability to swing it in conjunction with Mitchell Starc will have put all future batsman on notice that their techniques will be forensically examined.

England will feel deflated by their underwhelming effort in a match where they had a chance to flex their muscle and show why they were the pre-tournament favourites.

Perhaps this loss will focus them as they now have no choice but to win all remaining matches much in the same way we did back in the 1999 World Cup.

They are capable but they must locate the intensity and free-spirited style that has defined their cricket of recent times. 

It was a match that showcased skill and composure over brute strength and power largely because of a pitch that was fair to both bat and ball.

It was a genuine contest won by a team that knows its game plan and believes it can go all the way.

England must now respond or face elimination.

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ICC