Australia will take on England in the second semifinal of World Cup 2019 after finishing second on the tally with 14 points.
In its last league game on Saturday, Australia lost to South Africa by 10 runs at Old Trafford.
Australia takes on England in the second last-four clash on July 11 in Birmingham. In the first semifinal on July 9, India plays New Zealand at Old Trafford.
In nine league matches, Australia won seven and lost two.
Wade, Mitchell Marsh drafted in
Australia has drafted in Matthew Wade and Mitchell Marsh as cover as it waits to learn the full extent of injuries to Usman Khawaja and Marcus Stoinis ahead of the World Cup semifinals.
Khawaja sustained a hamstring injury in Australia's defeat to South Africa in Manchester on Saturday and his chances of playing against England at Edgbaston on Thursday appear slim. Captain Aaron Finch was slightly more optimistic Stoinis' side problem was not as severe when addressing the injuries at a post-match news conference.
But Australia is leaving nothing to chance, with wicketkeeper-batsman Wade and all-rounder Marsh brought across from its A team, which begins a four-day match with Sussex on Sunday.
Marsh was also brought into the fold earlier in the tournament when Stoinis sustained a side strain against India, but he recovered to face Bangladesh. Khawaja and Stoinis are set to undergo scans on their injuries on Sunday.
England starts as favourites, says Lyon
According to Australia off-spinner Nathan Lyon, England will be the favourite to win the semifinal at Edgbaston.
England has never lost to Australia at the venue in an ODI since 1993, and when the two teams meet on Thursday, it will be a test of character for the Aussies.
“We are playing against the No. 1 team. They are favourites to win the World Cup. It’s going to be a massive challenge. We’re playing against England, in England, in a semifinal — it doesn’t get much better,” Lyon said after his team’s 10-run loss to South Africa here .
“Every time you play against England, you want to compete hard against them and come out on top. Their side is full of absolute superstars and we’re definitely going in as underdogs,” Lyon said.
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“It’s all on them… It is their World Cup to lose, if you ask me. We’ve got nothing to lose — we’ve only got stuff to gain, and that’s the exciting thing about it. We are going to go out there and compete and have fun and do it with a smile on our face. I feel like there’s a very special thing round the corner for Australian cricket,” Lyon said.
In the group league fixture at Lord’s, Australia had beaten England by 64 runs.
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