- Cricket World Cup pdates from the match at Lord’s
- Vic Marks book extract: my surreal time with TMS
- Any thoughts? Email or tweet @mike_hytner
The captain doth protest too much. Here’s the inimitable Vic Marks, on Morgan and the fact that is most certainly not a hum-drum, just-another-game for England.
Eoin Morgan is entitled not to over-hype the occasion and to keep his players cool. But the protestation that this is just a routine World Cup match was not entirely convincing. In fact, if England had beaten Sri Lanka at Headingley his view of Tuesday’s mouthwatering meeting with Australia would have more credence.
It is true that England can lose at Lord’s and still control their own destiny in this tournament as they strive to satisfy the bare minimum of expectations: reaching the semi-finals. But if Australia prevail then the nerves really start jangling, however icy-calm Morgan may like to appear. Then England might have to win both their remaining matches, against India and New Zealand, neither of whom have been beaten so far.
Related: England need to hold their nerve as Australia focus on the main chance | Vic Marks
More on the weather. The importance of the weather radar to everyone’s enjoyment today cannot be underestimated. There’s cloud cover hanging over Lord’s, but importantly no rain and we’re set to get underway with no delay.
Written by Mike Hytner (now), Geoff Lemon and Rob Smyth (later)
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2019/jun/25/england-v-australia-cricket-world-cup-2019-live under the title “England v Australia: Cricket World Cup 2019 – live!”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
