12:00 AM, June 20, 2019 / LAST MODIFIED: 02:07 PM, June 20, 2019

The key factors in today's Bangladesh vs Australia match

Australia pace attack

The four-man pace attack is key to Australia's strength at this World Cup but even then, the twin threat of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins will hold the most significance for Bangladesh in this game. Starc's sharp inswingers at pace has demolished top-order left-handed batsmen at the tournament and Tamim Iqbal and Soumya Sarkar must be on their guard. The left-armer also gets the ball to zip and bounce a little more, traits that see him at the summit of the wicket-takers' list at this World Cup. Meanwhile, Cummins has bowled at a nagging length making it a test of patience. The duo together has scalped 24 wickets in this tournament and most crucially their partnership spells have brought Australia back into the game in key matches.

A twin spin threat to thwart Tigers?

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Glen Maxwell and Aaron Finch have shouldered occasional spin duties for Australia. Against Bangladesh the Aussies might opt for a varied attack and coach Justin Langer hinted of playing two specialist spinners in the line-up in case the wicket is dry. Alongside leg-spinner Adam Zampa, Australia might also play off-spinner Nathan Lyon. Zampa will be key against the likes of right-handers Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad, who are adept at playing spin while the presence of Tamim, Soumya and Shakib might make Lyon's inclusion a significant factor.

Who to target from the Aussie attack

Zampa's inexperience coupled with the presence of experienced middle-order batsmen in the Bangladesh side means that he is a bowler Bangladesh can look to target. Coulter-Nile and Jason Behrendorff do not have express pace and will rely on seam movement to trouble the Tigers. Kane Richardson, if picked, will look to do a containment job.

Photo: Reuters

Bat or bowl first?

Trent Bridge is known to produce high-scoring matches and will reportedly feature a track that favours batsmen. The obvious choice for the Tigers will be to bat first and put runs on the board and then let the bowlers keep the Aussies under pressure. However, Bangladesh will have to keep in mind that Windies bounced Pakistan out for just 105 at this ground in this very World Cup.

Australia batting threat

Aaron Finch will be key man at the top. With a top-order which has not flourished with their scoring-rate, Finch can ignite the engine at the top. Glen Maxwell is one who has not got going in this World Cup but will be massive threat if given loose deliveries. Wickets will be key early to put any meaningful pressure on the Australia batting line-up with the middle-order not clicking as required.

Tamim Iqbal will be looking to set the scores straight after failing to capitalise on decent starts at the 2019 World Cup. Mitchell Starc is at the summit of the top wicket takers’ list and Tigers will rely heavily on Tamim to play the anchor role and keep the likes of Starc at bay. Photo: BCB

Openers' role

It is needless to point out that the Australia pace duo -- Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins -- will be coming at the Bangladesh opening pair of Tamim and Soumya all guns blazing. While it is a no brainer that Bangladesh need to survive through the tough phase with minimum damage, it also needs to be ensured that the Tigers do not create undue pressure by being too cautious initially. Tamim needs to do what he has been doing for almost the past few years -- playing the anchor role. Much is expected of Tamim in this game as the left-hander has scored 281 runs -- the highest by any player in the two sides' current World Cup squad -- in the eight matches he played against Australia. And Soumya needs to play the aggressor's role and put the pressure back on the Aussies – just as he has been doing in recent times.

Shakib contingency

Shakib Al Hasan has been the standout performer for Bangladesh in the mega-event so far. Having already smashed two tons and as many fifties in the World Cup, Shakib remains atop the run-getters' list with 384 runs in four matches. Shakib will be relied upon heavily once again. However, the Tigers are yet to tackle a situation where the ace all-rounder has failed to deliver. Liton Das's 94 off 69 deliveries in his debut World Cup match gives Tigers some belief but against Australia the rest of the middle-order need to contribute if Shakib does not come up with the goods.

Mushfiqur Rahim and Mahmudullah Riyad -- who have been far from their best in the tournament -- would have to step up in the likely abesence of Mosaddek Hossain and Mohammad Saifuddin in the lower middle-order. If picked, Sabbir Rahman can bolster the batting while Mehedi Miraz can also help with a late onslaught.

Miraz to open the bowling?

Bangladesh may not have the luxury of playing an unchanged squad from the Windies game with Mohammad Saifuddin a doubt for the game alongside Mosaddek Hossain. Banlgadesh may line up Rubel Hossain alongside Mashrafe Bin Mortaza and Mustafizur Rahman. However, the main weapon of the Tigers can still be considered the spinners. Shakib and Mehedi, will be banked upon to keep Australia at bay. Mehedi has already opened twice in the World Cup -- against South Africa and New Zealand. Both South Africa and New Zealand had a left-handed opener with Quinton de Kock opening for the Proteas and Collin Munro for the Kiwis and it would not be surprising to see Miraz in action early against Australia in order to put left-hander David Warner in trouble. There is no doubt that the only way to keep Warner quiet is to get his wicket early and while Miraz seems the best bet to do that, Shakib and Mosaddek will be relied upon in the middle overs to keep the scoring rate in check on a track that will likely favour batsmen.

Fizz to finally get going?

Although Mustafizur Rahman is yet to deliver to his full potential so far, the left-arm quick who scalped seven wickets in four matches will have a key role to play today. On a presumably dry track, the 23-year old's cutters could be effective. Mustafizur could be called upon once again to put the brakes on the Aussie charge. However, the Tigers need to handle his over quota more smartly.

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The eight-wicket defeat against Australia in Pune yesterday put an end to a forgettable World Cup for Bangladesh. It's now time to decipher through the wreckage of the Tigers' campaign to find where it all went wrong and figure out a path for the future. In an interview with the Daily Star's Mazhar Uddin on Friday, the team's technical director for the World Cup, Sridharan Sriram, opined that Bangladesh need to focus on winning matches abroad if they want to do well in ICC events. Following are the excerpts of the interview:

The Daily Star (DS): What went wrong for Bangladesh in this disastrous World Cup campaign?

Sridharan Sriram (SS): You make it out to be a disastrous World Cup. Yes, we should have won the game against the Netherlands, no excuses for that. But apart from that, we lost against really good teams and we never got bowled out for 50 or 70. Yes, we were unable to post big totals and our batters were unable to convert their starts into big hundreds. Unless they learn that they won't be able to challenge big teams.

DS: A team like Afghanistan with limited resources have done really well in this World Cup, so why couldn't Bangladesh?

SS: The number of Afghanistan players playing in leagues outside is phenomenal. They have got about eight or nine players playing in the IPL which really helped them get the exposure. Look at Bangladesh, we hardly get exposure in leagues overseas. Even in our Bangladesh Premier League, I really want to see our local players step up and win matches. That is something the franchises should start working on, so the local players can start winning matches when the pressure is on.

DS: What should the Bangladesh team do next if they want to vie for the trophy in future mega events?

SS: One thing I can say is that Bangladesh need to punch above their weight and not look for trophies and start beating bigger teams on a regular basis: doing well away from home and making it to the semifinals or at least pushing for a semifinal spot. We just can't reach the 10th floor straight away as you have to go one step at a time. We have got to have realistic expectations and goals but keep pushing the boundaries towards that goal. I think the realistic goal for Bangladesh is to do well away from home and the bigger teams should start to see Bangladesh as a threat, not an easy opponent. That should be the process for the board, media and fans. Having smaller targets would be better rather than saying win a major ICC trophy as it's not going to happen overnight.

DS: Did expectations from the fans and the media affect the players?

SS: It's the expectations they put on themselves. I think nobody can influence you from the outside unless you put yourself under pressure. Even the whole world can be against you but you can remain focused on your job. I think pressure is never external and what the media and public say should not matter at this level.

DS: You signed for the duration of the World Cup. Will you be continuing with the Bangladesh team after the tournament?

SS: I don't know as nobody has spoken with me yet. I know Papon (Nazmul Hassan) bhai and Jalal (Jalal Yunus) bhai know that I am very committed to Bangladesh cricket. I have got my IPL commitment, which is very important for me. Definitely, I would like to work with Bangladesh in the coming days. The relation and rapport I have with the team I think I will savour.

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At the business end of a tournament, skipper Mashrafe Bin Mortaza was once more faced with an all-too-familiar hurdle. In the last two ICC 50-over tournaments, it was India that stopped Bangladesh's march -- in the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal and the 2017 Champions Trophy semifinal. After an impressive run in the ongoing World Cup, Mashrafe and Co are left having to win against India today to stay alive in the race to the semifinals.

Mashrafe was under no illusions about the size of the task at hand when speaking at the pre-match press conference in Birmingham yesterday.

"Look, every time we play, we want to win, but India were the better side in the last few World Cups," Mashrafe said when asked about his team's chances. "We go out onto the field to play at our best, and let's see. You never know. If you have a very good day, play every area, and if we are 100 percent correct, then you never know. It's a sport that on your day you can beat anybody."

All sportsmen present a veneer of confidence ahead of a contest, but Mashrafe seemed to struggle to maintain his.

"I'm not surprised," Mashrafe answered when asked whether he expected the team to last this long in the World Cup. "I think there's not too much left. We have to play at our best. If we can manage to win, that will be great, but to be honest, both sides [India and Pakistan, their next opponents] are very strong. It's not going to be easy, but we have to play hard and have to be 100 percent in every area. Good thing that we're still in the tournament, maybe, maybe not [after tomorrow], but let's see. We have to play a lot better than what we have played."

And that is the nature of the challenge facing Bangladesh. Most observers have been impressed by Bangladesh's progress through the tournament -- beating West Indies, South Africa and Afghanistan and almost beating New Zealand. But with how the teams stack up -- India have the most varied bowling attack and the best players of spin bowling, Bangladesh's strength -- Mashrafe knew that his team would have to play even better to stand a chance against the 2011 and 1983 champions.

"Whenever we have beaten big teams, I don't think we have ever won by playing well in one department," Mashrafe said when asked if there was one area in which he would put Bangladesh ahead of India. "It has always been batting, bowling and fielding. If we can do well in all sectors, then of course we can win."

There may be one chink in India's armour and that is their top-heavy batting department. Opener Rohit Sharma and skipper Virat Kohli, at number three, have scored a lion's share of their runs and getting them early could expose a softer middle order. But Bangladesh seem ill-prepared to exploit that as well, as they have managed to take a wicket in the first 10 overs just twice in six matches. Pacers Mustafizur Rahman and Mohammad Saifuddin have taken 10 wickets each, but only one of those wickets, that of Chris Gayle's wicket by Saifuddin, was taken by a pacer. Mashrafe meanwhile has just one wicket from six matches.

"It has not been ideal, for sure," Mashrafe said. "You need early wickets against India, otherwise they can get a very big score. But just because it has not happened before does not mean it won't happen tomorrow [Tuesday]."

That seems to be Bangladesh's way forward -- they have to find something that they have not yet found in the tournament.

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After 44 days of cricket, we are just 2 days away from the much-awaited final of the World Cup. Be it England or New Zealand who win it on July 14 at Lord’s, one thing is sure, the game will have a new world champion. In all these days, we saw some unanticipated hits and some unexpected misses while we also saw those, who outlived the expectations. Making a comeback to the international cricket after a year-long ban, Australia opener David Warner impressed with his style. He was aggressive, throughout, as if he was there to prove a point. Shakib Al Hasan was a surprise package all together. Kane Williamson, as calm as monk, guided New Zealand to their second World Cup final with his brilliant batting. Mitchell Starc unleashed mayhem with his yorkers, while Jofra Archer proved his worth in his maiden World Cup appearance for England. A lot of them have impressed, but only one will take home the Player of the Tournament award. Here is a look at all those player who are in contention.

Shakib Al Hasan

Bangladesh failed to make it to the last four of the World Cup but Shakib Al Hasan was in form of his life. Shakib ended a prolific World Cup 2019 with 606 runs, surpassing Sachin Tendulkar’s record of the most runs scored in the group stage. The left-hander hammered two centuries and 6 half-centuries. Not only did he show his grace with the bat, the all-rounder also impressed with his spin bowling. Shakib scalped11 wickets for his side at an economy of 5.39. So this complete player is very much in contention for the player of the tournament, unless the ICC jury is in a mood to not hand the award to a player belonging to the team that did not quite contend for cricket’s greatest prize.

Rohit Sharma

With a World Cup record five centuries in the 2019 event, India opener Rohit Sharma has been ahead of all other batsmen in the race. The India opener is the leading run scorer in the tournament with 648 runs from nine matches at an average of 81. Alongisde his five tons, he also has one half-century. Rohit was only 27 runs short of surpassing the legendary Sachin Tendulkar, who leads the list of batsmen with most runs in a single edition of the World Cup, but he managed just a single run as India’s campaign at the World Cup came to an end with a semifinal defeat against New Zealand. Rohit was seen shedding tears then, but he may have something to smile about soon.

Mitchell Starc

Australia suffered their first semifinal defeat in a World Cup as hosts England crushed the five-time champions by 8 wickets to reach their first World Cup final in 27 years.

Although Australia’s World Cup journey ended, Mitchell Starc remains the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. The southpaw has picked 27 wickets in 10 innings at an economy of 5.43. Starc, also the player of the tournament in World Cup 2015, broke Glenn McGrath’s record for most wickets in a single edition of the showpiece event. The pacer also has two five-wicket hauls and two four-wicket hauls in this edition of the tournament to put a strong claim for his second player of the World Cup award in succession.

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England ended their 44-year wait for a maiden 50-overs World Cup title by beating a gutsy New Zealand side on boundaries after a tied Super Over amidst heart-stopping drama on Sunday.

Chasing 242 for victory, Ben Stokes' scintillating 84 not out helped the hosts tie the see-saw contest, forcing the Super Over where more nail-biting excitement unfolded.

Buttler and Stokes took 15 runs off Trent Boult's Super Over without losing their wickets.

New Zealand also scored 15 runs off Jofra Archer's over but England won on boundary count, triggering wild celebrations at Lord's as the hosts capped a stunning turnaround.

Since being unceremoniously dumped out of the 2015 edition of the marquee tournament in Australia, Eoin Morgan's England side have reinvented themselves as a white-ball juggernaut, heading into this World Cup as overwhelming favourites.

Back-to-back defeats by Sri Lanka and Australia in the group stage helped England rediscover the attacking brand of fearless cricket which has been the hallmark of the current team.

They dismantled India and New Zealand to storm into the semi-finals, where they crushed Australia with another ruthless display of all-round excellence.

Sunday's final, England's first since 1992, pitted them against a New Zealand team chasing their own slice of history after spending decades as the tournament's bridesmaids.

CONTROLLED BOWLING

Morgan lost an important toss, but Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes led England's controlled bowling display to restrict New Zealand to 241 for eight on a two-paced wicket.

Henry Nicholls made 55 and Tom Latham chipped in with 47 but lack of significant partnerships hurt New Zealand, who eventually settled for a below-par total.

Nicholls and Williamson put on 74 runs to bolster the New Zealand innings but Plunkett's two-wicket, cross-seam masterclass took the wind out of their sails.

Plunkett dismissed both batsmen just when the partnership was looking dangerous and he eventually finished with 3-42.

Woakes claimed three as well, including the wicket of Latham just when the batsman was looking poised to provide the late charge that could have taken New Zealand past the 250-mark.

New Zealand's new ball pair of Trent Boult and Matt Henry returned determined not to let it become a cakewalk for the hosts.

Henry dismissed the in-form Jason Roy for 10 and Colin de Grandhomme put a struggling Joe Root (7) out of his misery.

England could have been in a bigger hole had de Grandhomme not dropped a waist-high return catch from Bairstow, then on 18.

England were gasping on 86-4 when Stokes was joined by Buttler for a 110-run stand to revive the chase and tie the scores, producing one of the most thrilling matches in the history of the game. (Source: Reuters)

England win a thriller to clinch their maiden World Cup after tied match. England lift the World Cup courtesy of more boundaries in the match as the Super Over also finished on a tie. Both teams scored 15 runs in the Super Over. England are ecstatic after this unbelievable game that created heart-stopping drama right till the last ball of the tournament.

The Kiwis fought till the end and in the final ball of the Super Over, they needed two but Guptill fell short of his crease after hitting it towards mid wicket. Jason Roy picked the ball up at midwicket before he threw it at the striker's end and Buttler took off the bails to hand England the trophy. It took a tie-break rule to seperate the two sides and England won it because of more boundaries in the match.

New Zealand need 16 runs in the Super Over to win the World Cup. Neesham and Martin Guptill are batting for New Zealand.

0.1 - Wide ball from Archer

0.1 - NZ runs two

0.2 - A humongous hit from Neesham. What a hit. Six!

0.3 - Neesham takes two again. NZ need five runs from three deliveries.

0.4 - Another two from Neesham

0.5 - A single this time and Guptill to play last delivery. NZ need two

0.6 - Guptill tries two but he is short of his crease. Run out ! The match is tied but England win the World Cup

Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler has come into bat for England in the Super Over. Boult to bowl the Super Over for the Kiwis. England gets 15 in the Super Over.

Super Over England

0.1 - Three runs. Stokes gets a top edge and goes over third man and England run three.

0.2 - Buttler takes a single

0.3 - Stokes plays it fabulously over mid wicket for four

0.4 - Buttler takes a single

0.5 - Two runs

0.6 - Stokes gets a four.

49.6, Eng 241 all out - The final between New Zealand and England has gone to Super Over in what is the most thrilling final ever in a World Cup match. England needed 15 in the last over and 2 runs were needed off the last delivery bowled by Trent Boult and Stokes who has been batting brilliantly, checked his stroke in the last delivery that he played at long on and tried to steal two. He runs two but his partner Mark Wood at the other end is short of his crease. Run out! What a game of cricket! The World Cup final is tied and there will be a Super Over to decide the fate of the game. Rashid run out (Santner/Boult) 0 (0b 0x4 0x6)

48.6, ENG 227/8: Jofra Archer clean bowled by Neesham by a slower ball.

48.3, ENG 220/7: Plunkett looked to score a six but was caught at long off as Jimmy Neesham scalped his second of the day.

46.1, ENG 203/6: Another wicket as Lockie Ferguson sent Chris Woakes sent back. Ferguson banged in short and a top edge led the ball high in the sky. Wicket keeper Tom Latham went behind to take a comfortable catch at the end to bring life to this chase. Nail biting as Ben Stokes still in the middle. Liam Plunkett in the middle to accompany Stokes.

44.5, ENG 196/5: Lockie Ferguson breaks the hundred run partnership as the substitute fielder Tim Southee took a catch at sweeper cover to send Jos Buttler back. It seemed like this pair would take the England over the line but the batsman sliced a 123kmph ball and never looked in control. New energy in the New Zealand players as they feel like they can defend the total.

New Zealand bowlers have no answer to the Buttler, Stokes pair as the batsmen look to hammer through to victory. Jos Buttler jabbed a Trent Boult ball off the mid wicket for four to bring up his half century, whereas, a ball later, Ben Stokes took a single as he pushed a ball towards to bring up his half century. This one hundred run partnership was the one thing England needed and the New Zealand looked to have no answers to the havoc. Game slipping away from the Kiwis.

A fifty run stand between Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler as England look to chase the total of 242. The batsmen had to toil hard for each run in the initial stages of their innings but as the partnership grew, the players looked to play more freely. A long way to go for the English side to lift their first World Cup as New Zealand do not seem to have lost any energy in the middle. The Kiwi bowlers and fielders have done everything possible to subdue the run rate and create pressure till now. However, this partnership looked dangerous for the New Zealanders.

20.1, ENG 86/4: A stunning catch by Lockie Ferguson sent an unsettled Eoin Morgan back to the dressing room for nine in 22 balls. The whole stadium was in awe as Ferguson came running from the boundary line and dive infront towards the ball only to scalp one of the best catches in this tournament. The umpires sent it upstairs to get a closer look but the catch was clean. Jimmy Neesham gets his first of the day. EJG Morgan c Ferguson b Neesham 9 (22b 0x4 0x6) SR: 40.90

England's Jonny Bairstow (R) walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the 2019 Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. Photo: AFP

19.3, ENG 73/3: Jonny Bairstow chopped himself out as Lockie Ferguson scalped his first of the day. Bairstow scored 36 runs off 55 balls as England lost wickets in quick successions. Runs have been hard to come as New Zealand's fielding made sure the English had to work hard for every run. In desperate need of a partnership, Ben Stokes came onto the field in hope to steady the ship for England. JM Bairstow b Ferguson 36 (55b 7x4 0x6) SR: 65.45

New Zealand's Colin de Grandhomme celebrates taking the wicket of England's Joe Root. Photo: Reuters

16.3, ENG 59/2: Colin De Grandhomme sent back Joe Root, as the batsman nicked the ball to the keeper Tom Latham. The England number three never looked comfortable in the middle as he scored seven off 30 deliveries. JE Root c †Latham b de Grandhomme 7 (30b 0x4 0x6) SR: 23.33

England bring up their fifty within 15 overs with major contribution from Jonny Bairstow who looked to score with ease in the middle. The batsmen scored 30 runs with Joe Root on the other side. New Zealand bowlers and fielders have been excellent to keep the runs in check.

5.4, ENG 28/1: Mat Henry got the prized wicket of Jason Roy as New Zealand got their first wicket. Angling in towards the off stump, the ball was inviting as Jason Roy nicked it to give the Kiwi wicket keeper Tom Latham a comfortable catch behind the stumps. A huge blow for England as Roy always ensured England got a perfect start at the beginning. Joe Root came onto the field to accompany Bairstow in the middle. JJ Roy c †Latham b Henry 17 (20b 3x4 0x6) SR: 85.00

England came down to chase a total of 242 runs after their excellent display of bowling and fielding in the first innings.

New Zealand bowlers were on top as Jason Roy survived an early scare of a LBW. However, after the umpire adjudged it not out, Kiwi skipper Kane Williamson took some time before deciding to review it. Fate was not on his side as the ball just clipped the stumps, thus the on field umpire had the last say.

The ball looked to swing in and out and also stuck on the pitch in the first five overs but the England openers Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy, despite having started shakily, upped the tempo.

New Zealand's Colin De GRANDHOMME sent back. Photo: Reuters

England restrict New Zealand for 241

Having chosen to bat after winning the toss, New Zealand could only manage 241 for eight at the end of their 50 overs.

England restricted New Zealand to 241-8 in the World Cup final as the hosts boosted their bid to make history by winning the tournament for the first time on Sunday.

Eoin Morgan's side were fuelled by three wickets each from Liam Plunkett and Chris Woakes on a green-tinged pitch in cloudy conditions that aided the pace bowlers at Lord's.

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson had elected to bat first, but his gamble backfired, with only Henry Nicholls (55) reaching a half-century for the 2015 World Cup runners-up in their 50 overs.

England struck early when opener Martin Guptill was dismissed by Woakes, before Williamson and Nicholls put on 74 for the second wicket.

Plunkett restored England's grip on the match with two quick wickets to remove star batsman Williamson for 30 and then Nicholls.

New Zealand, who are aiming to win the World Cup for the first time, could not establish any momentum after that as economical bowling from Plunkett, Woakes and Mark Wood turned the screw for England.

Plunkett finished with impressive figures of three wickets for 42 runs from his 10 overs, while Woakes took 3-37 from nine overs.

Derek Pringle was the only previous England player to take three wickets in a World Cup final, his haul coming against Pakistan in 1992.

Pringle's efforts were in vain as they lost that final against Pakistan 27 years ago.

England were also beaten in their two other World Cup finals, against Australia in 1987 and the West Indies in 1979.

Thanks to Plunkett and Woakes, England are within touching distance of finally ending their long wait to join England's footballers in 1966 and the 2003 rugby union team as world champions.

(AFP)

49.3, NZ 240/8: Mat Henry just looked to hit the ball over the boundary without looking for proper timing. A full ball right on to the stumps as Jofra Archer bagged his first of the day.

48.3, NZ 232/7: Another soft dismissal as Tom Latham lofted one to mid off fielder James Vince. Chirs Woakes was the second man after Liam Plunkett to scalp three wickets. England completely in control as they look to finish strong. TWM Latham c sub (JM Vince) b Woakes 47 (56b 2x4 1x6) SR: 83.92

46.5, NZ 219/6: A soft dismissal as Chris Woakes scalped his first wicket of the day. Colin De Grandhomme never looked comfortable in the middle after he was struck on the head by Jofra Archer. England seemed to be in charge as New Zealand were not given a chance to free their hands too much in the third power-play yet. Mitchell Santner came on to the field to accompany Latham. C de Grandhomme c sub (JM Vince) b Woakes 16 (28b 0x4 0x6) SR: 57.14

39, NZ 173/5: A big bump in the road for New Zealand as Jimmy Neesham was sent back by Liam Plunkett. A straightforward catch at mid on by Joe Root as Neesham had to walk home despite having scored freely in the middle. The partnership of Jimmy Neesham and Tom Latham looked to be dangerous for England but Plunkett who was brought in by England skipper Eoin Morgan to break this partnership struck gold again. JDS Neesham c Root b Plunkett 19 (25b 3x4 0x6) SR: 76.00

33.1, NZ 141/4 : Mark Wood sent Ross Taylor back as England do not seem let New Zealand build a partnership. The ball angled in from wide, as the ball struck the pads of the New Zealand batsmen Ross Taylor, given out by the umpire. The Kiwis were not able to review the decision as Martin Guptill used the allocated review for New Zealand. However, the ball tracker showed that the ball would have missed the stumps as it would have gone over the leg stumps. LRPL Taylor lbw b Wood 15 (31b 0x4 0x6) SR: 48.38

26.5, NZ 118/3: The ball nicked the bat before it went to hit the stumps as Henry Nicholls was sent back by Liam Plunkett. Two breakthroughs in quick successions by Plunkett as he scalped his second in the match to put England in the driving seat. New Zealand were looking comfortable in the middle with Nicholls and Williamson, building a strong partnership but two strikes by Plunkett sent both these batsmen back to the pavilion. HM Nicholls b Plunkett 55 (77b 4x4 0x6) SR: 71.42

25.1, NZ 110/2: Henry Nicholls scored a fighting half century despite losing his opening partner Guptill and skipper Williamson on the other side. Nicholls's kept his celebrations in check keeping in mind the task he has in hand to take the Kiwis to a decent total.

New Zealand's captain Kane Williamson walks back to the pavilion after his dismissal during the 2019 Cricket World Cup final between England and New Zealand at Lord's Cricket Ground in London. Photo: AFP

22.4, NZ 103/2: Liam Plunkett sent New Zealand captain Kane Williamson back to the dressing room as a review turned the decision to the favor of the Englishmen. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena initially ruled it as a not out but, the England skipper, Eoin Morgan was very confident as he instantly took the review. The ball seemed to get a heavy touch with the bat before landing inside the gloves of Jos Butler, an easy catch for the wicket keeper. Williamson out after scoring 30 runs off 53 balls as Ross Taylor made his way into the crease. KS Williamson c †Buttler b Plunkett 30 (53b 2x4 0x6) SR: 56.60

21.2, NZ 100/1: New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson and Henry Nicholls put up a 50-plus run partnership in the middle to take the Kiwis past the hundred run mark within 22 overs, after the early demise of Martin Guptill. The batsmen took comfortable singles and doubles and scored odd boundaries in loose balls to put the Kiwis in a srong position to put up an above par score in the final.

Martin Guptill's poor World Cup form continued in the today's final at Lord's. Photo: AFP

6.2, NZ 29/1: Henry Nicholls had survived with a review off Chris Woakes but his opening partner Martin Guptill is not so lucky as he is trapped infront by Woakes when looking to drive the ball on the up. Guptill challenged the umpire's decision and took the review but replays showed that ball would have hit the stumps this time around. England draw first blood in this final. Guptill lbw b Woakes 19 (18b 2x4 1x6) SR: 105.55

Nicholls survives with early review

It looked like England had drawn first blood when Chirs Woakes hit Henry Nicholls with a inswinger which darted back in late to the left-hander. The umpire raised his finger but Nicholls considererd it for a moment even as the ball hit his back leg. Everything looks good for England except the height of the delivery and replays confirm that the ball would have missed the stumps. Good decision to review that one. Nicholls survives.

New Zealand have won the crucial toss and decided to bat first against England in the final of the 2019 ICC World Cup at Lord's. Both teams are unchanged.

Playing XIs:

England: Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (capt), Ben Stokes, Jos Buttler(wk), Chris Woakes, Liam Plunkett, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Mark Wood

New Zealand: Martin Guptill, Henry Nicholls, Kane Williamson (capt), Ross Taylor, James Neesham, Tom Latham (wk), Colin de Grandhomme, Mitchell Santner, Matt Henry, Trent Boult, Lockie Ferguson

The toss was delayed by 15 minutes due to morning showers, but rain seems to have eased away. The match will start at 3:45pm Bangladesh time.

Fans dressed up in umpire uniforms for the World Cup final at Lord's. Photo: Reuters

The prize purse for the winners and runners-up is heavy, with the champions to get $4m and the runners-up half of it. There will also be indivdual awards, including the MVP of the tournament, where Shakib Al Hasan is a front-runner.

But that will be decided after the final itself. The past finals have been rather drab affair, one-sided and often predictable. This time, we'd hope it is a different thing for the sake of the game and those who follow it.

At least one thing that is definitely going to be different is that we will get a new champion. And it is likely to be a battle between the most explosive batting line-up and a shrewd bowling attack.

Hosts England have brushed aside years of underachievement by reaching the final for a fourth time -- 27 years since their last -- and look like the team to beat. New Zealand, the perennial semifinalists, had gone one better last time with a final appearance. Could they go one better again this time?

Body:

Mitchell Marsh joked he was glad to go from "negative 50" to an unbeaten 177 in a crushing eight-wicket win over Bangladesh that set Australia up for Thursday's World Cup semi-final against South Africa in Kolkata.

Saturday's victory meant Australia ended the group stage with a seventh successive win after two defeats at the start of their quest for a record-extending sixth World Cup title.

They were already assured of a last-four clash with the Proteas -- a repeat of the dramatic 1999 tied semi-final between the countries that allowed Australia to reach that year's final -- before a ball was bowled in Pune.

But they will go into the knockout game buoyed by chasing down a target of 307 against strugglers Bangladesh with 32 balls to spare.

Marsh's second hundred of the tournament, following 121 against Pakistan, was also his highest score but only third century in 87 one-day internationals.

He also shared century partnerships with David Warner 53 and Steve Smith, the star batsman 63 not out after returning from vertigo.

"It's always a great honour to score a hundred, but I was pretty cooked to be honest," said Marsh, now batting at number three.

"I was just starting to cramp at that stage, so I was trying to keep my heart rate low and not exert too much energy," the 32-year-old added following a 132-ball innings including 17 fours and nine sixes."

The paceman said he felt he owed Australia runs after conceding an expensive 48 in four wicketless overs during Bangladesh's 306-8 -- their highest total of the tournament.

"I started at negative 50 after my bowling, so I had to get a few (runs) back.

"With the amount of improvement with all cricket teams around the world, there's been not one easy game so to get to the semi-finals is great. But we're very excited about what lies ahead."

'Chase whatever is in front of us'

Australia, however, have conceded several totals of over 300 during the 10-team round-robin phase of the World Cup, notably during a 134-run defeat by South Africa and, despite scoring 388 themselves, in a thrilling five-run win over New Zealand.

Afghanistan's 291-5 almost proved too much for Australia in Mumbai on Tuesday before Glenn Maxwell's stunning unbeaten 201 secured a three-wicket triumph after a collapse to 91-7.

But Marsh said there were explanations for Australia's relative lack of wickets with the new ball.

"There's probably a number of things that that comes down to. There's been some really 'fat' (batsmen-friendly) wickets and some small grounds," he said.

"I didn't realise how small this one was, even though I played here a little bit. There's a lot of good teams out there, a lot of teams have chased down big totals.

"So I think it's about having a mentality to keep taking wickets, but understanding that when guys get on top that that's going to happen at this level and whatever is put in front of us, we try and chase it down."

The key factors in today's Bangladesh vs Australia match

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