3 minute read
The details behind Australia's World Cup campaign in England, which was ended by the hosts in the semi-final.
HOW AUSTRALIA'S CRICKET WORLD CUP PLAYED OUT
Summary: For a team desperately out of form for the majority of the past two years, Australia did well to sit first with one round to play. But they will be bitterly disappointed not to advance past the semi-finals, beaten by a dominant England side hell-bent on winning their first title.
Man of the tournament: Mitchell Starc took a record 27 wickets, the most of any player in one single campaign. His dominance is illustrated by the fact he claimed seven more scalps than any other player from any team in this edition of the tournament. David Warner ranks a close second, with three centuries.
Turning point: A brutal net session stalled momentum before the last-round clash with South Africa. Blows to Shaun Marsh and Glenn Maxwell were the camp's first real dramas, and they backed it up with a slow start two days later. The narrow 10-run loss to the Proteas sent them to Birmingham for a semi-final against England, and the rest - along with their campaign - is history.
Stat of the tournament: Sunday's final will be just the fifth in World Cup history not to feature Australia, after they previously qualified for seven out of a possible 11.
Quote of the tournament: "It's easy being a commentator" - coach Justin Langer was forced to defend his team's tactics from critics like Shane Warne throughout the tournament. And for the most part, he had the results to push his case.
Talking point: David Warner and Steve Smith's returns to the side appeared seamless after their 12-month bans. The test will now be how they adapt back to red-ball cricket in the Ashes.
Leading run-scorers: David Warner 647 at 71.88, Aaron Finch 507 at 50.70.
Leading wicket-takers: Mitchell Starc 27 at 18.60, Pat Cummins 14 at 30.50.
Results: Beat Afghanistan by seven wickets
Beat West Indies by 15 runs
Lost to India by 36 runs
Beat Pakistan by 41 runs
Beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs
Beat Bangladesh by 48 runs
Beat England by 64 runs
Beat New Zealand by 86 runs
Lost to South Africa by 10 runs
Lost to England by eight wickets (semi-final)
Australia 223 (49 overs), England 2-226 (32.1 overs)
