FE Sports Desk
Australia became the first team to qualify for the 2019 ICC World Cup semi-finals after their comprehensive 64-run win over hosts England at Lord's on Tuesday.
England started the world cup as favourites but has now lost three of their seven matches, two of them being consecutive losses to Sri Lanka and Australia. With the defeat against Australia, they have dug themselves a big hole.
South Africa and Afghanistan are already out of the competition and the tournament have 14 matches remaining in the league stage with still eight teams fighting to make it to the semis of this year's ICC Cricket World Cup.
Let's a look at what each team needs to do make it to the final four.
Australia (12 points in 7 matches)
Remaining matches: New Zealand (June 2), South Africa (July 6)
Already in the semis after beating England by 64 runs at Lord's on Tuesday, defending champions Australia will eye a top spot by beating New Zealand and South Africa in their remaining two matches of the World Cup. The top-ranked side at the end of the group stages will face the 4th ranked side in the semi-final.
New Zealand (11 points in 6 matches)
Remaining matches: Australia (June 29), England (July 3)
Still unbeaten in the tournament, New Zealand have a high chance of making it to the semis. They need just one win in their remaining three matches of the World Cup and like Australia, they too will be eyeing the top spot by winning at least two of their remaining three against Pakistan, Australia and England.
India (9 points in 5 matches)
Remaining matches: West Indies (Today), England (June 30), Bangladesh (July 2), Sri Lanka (July 6)
Another undefeated team India too look set for a top four finish. The only thing that could go against Virat Kohli's men is the schedule. Having played the least among all 10 teams so far, India have a hard task of playing foru matches in 10 days before the semi-finals. India will confirm their place in the semis if they manage to win at least 2 of those.
England (8 points in 7 matches)
Remaining matches: India (June 30), New Zealand (July 3)
After losing their last two matches against Sri Lanka and Australia, hosts England found themselves in a tricky scenario. They need to win their next tough games against India and New Zealand to get through to the semis. And if they don't they will have to hope that Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan don't win more than one of their remaining matches. Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka will fancy their chances if England loses at least one of their next two games.
Bangladesh (7 points in 7 matches)
Remaining matches: India (July 2), Pakistan (July 5)
Shakib Al Hasan has taken Mortaza's team up to the fifth spot. A total of 3 wins from 7 matches and they have to face India and Pakistan. The team must win their remaining two games, and then they will finish with 11 points.
Otherwise, if England lose all their remaining games, Bangladesh will need to win just one more match to qualify for the semifinals. They will also need to hope that Sri Lanka do not win all their three remaining matches. They will still qualify if Sri Lanka lose at least two of their remaining three matches.
Sri Lanka (6 points in 6 matches)
Remaining matches: South Africa (June 28), West Indies (July 1), India (July 6)
Sri Lanka will have to play 3 more matches and they will be against South Africa, West Indies and India. These matches won't be easy, but they have the possibility of finishing with 12 points if they win all the three matches. However, if they end on 10 points, they will have to sit and wait and hope England lose all their remaining matches, Bangladesh do not win more than two and Pakistan lose at least one. They will be eliminated, if they do not win any of their matches.
Pakistan (5 points in 6 matches)
Remaining matches: Afghanistan (June 29), Bangladesh (July 5)
Their campaign is very similar to 1992. They won against South Africa which means that are now with 5 points from 6 matches. They now face New Zealand, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. If they win all the three matches, they will end with 11 points and then hope England do not win more than one and Bangladesh and Sri Lanka lose at least one match.
West Indies (3 points in 6 matches)
Remaining matches: India (Today), Sri Lanka (July 1), Afghanistan (July 4)
Three points from six games and have three more matches against India, Sri Lanka and Afghanistan.Well, even if they win all their remaining matches, they will still hope England lose all their matches and, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka win not more than one each and Pakistan lose at least two.
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