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England set up clash with NZ for crown

FE Desk | July 12, 2019 00:00:00


Title aspirants England posted a facile win over Australia in the second semifinal match of the cricket World Cup in England on Thursday.

Chasing a magic target of 224, the English romped home with eight wickets in hand and moved into the final of the World Cup to join New Zealand in the clash for title slated for Sunday.

Morgan (45 off 39) and Joe Root (49 off 46) stood there until the end.

The English never lost the momentum in the run chase, though opening batsman JJ Roy fell after a brilliant knock of 85 off 65 balls, with good support lent by the other opener Bairstow who scored 34 off 43 balls.

AFP adds: England batsman Jason Roy could face disciplinary action after his blistering innings in Thursday's World Cup semi-final against Australia came to a controversial end at Edgbaston.

The Surrey opener had made 85 to set England well on their way to a victory target of 224 against the reigning champions when Australia appealed for a catch down the legside by wicketkeeper Alex Carey off fast bowler Pat Cummins.

Sri Lankan umpire Kumar Dharmasena eventually gave Roy out, prompting the batsman to request a review.

The problem for Roy was that England had already squandered their lone review of the innings with an unsuccessful attempt to overturn fellow opener Jonny Bairstow's lbw dismissal for 34.

Nevertheless, Dharmasena confusingly and incorrectly signalled for a review, with Australia pointing out the official's mistake.

Roy, his arms spread wide, clearly believed Dharmasena should have signalled a wide delivery instead and the furious batsman had to be ushered away from the crease by square leg umpire Marais Erasmus.

Eventually, a clearly unhappy Roy, whose tirade prompted television broadcasters to apologise for his foul language, made his way back to the pavilion, with England 147 for two in the 20th over.

Showing dissent at an umpire's decision is an offence under the International Cricket Council's code of conduct and match referee Ranjan Madugalle could now take action.

Even so, Roy is still likely to be available for Sunday's final against New Zealand at Lord's should England beat Australia.


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