Australia move to the top of the Cricket World Cup group table as heroics from Aaron Finch and Mitchell Starc secured an 87 run win over Sri Lanka.
Australia have jumped up to top spot after the win over Sri Lanka.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 15, 2019
Tomorrow it's India v Pakistan at Old Trafford! #CWC19 pic.twitter.com/CHpIfXVpv1
Captain Finch led from the front for Australia and showed no fear about having to bat first under cloudy skies and a stiff breeze.
Aaron Finch was the Player of the Match for his brilliant 153 to set up Australia's win #CWC19 https://t.co/bbwNOx9Zrl
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 15, 2019
A fourth win from five games moves Australia a point clear of New Zealand at the top of the table ‑ a position they may retain until their next game.
Despite having now beaten Afghanistan, West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, they have had their concerns on both the batting and bowling front.
Australia, whose only defeat so far came against India, next face Bangladesh at 9.30pm this Thursday with the knowledge that another win could see them put one foot in the last four.
Sri Lanka's second defeat from five games, having had their past two fixtures abandoned without a ball being bowled, leaves their quest for a semi‑final place in the balance.
Sri Lanka will now play England at 9.30pm this Friday.
Meanwhile, South Africa have claimed their first victory in this World Cup defeating Afghanistan by nine wickets.
South Africa will now face New Zealand this Wednesday at 9.30pm while Afghanistan will play England this Tuesday at 9.30pm.
India will play Pakistan at 9.30 tonight.
The group stage format is a round robin, where all ten teams play each other once, in a single group.
This means a total of 45 matches will be played, with each team playing a total of nine matches.
The top four teams from the group will progress to the semi finals.
Australia now lead the points table, New Zealand are in second place, England in are third place while India come in fourth.
The first semifinal will be played on the 9th of next month at 9.30pm while the second semi final will be played on the 10th of next month at 9.30pm.
The final will be played on the 14th of next month.
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