Where tonight's Australia-England semi will be won or lost

I agree, but the Poms would have a collective coronary

Turns out you were right mate. Just about everyone is saying bat 1st on these new decks. Kane got it wrong; Black Caps are strong chasers and there are conditions to exploit early on. The rain delay might actually have saved us. While the pitch was more benign there was still enough for the bowlers early and that's where we dented that vaunted Indian batting line-up. It flattened and slowed pretty quickly and if Santner can get turn... Thought Aaron got it wrong last night too; had Australia bowled 1st it could have been very different. I'm going to go out on a limb again and suggest the Black Caps bowl 1st at Lords for the same reasoning. To be honest I'm just glad we made the finals again and concede England look the superior team. But... you never know...

Weather forecast has improved so likley not an issue. But sort it out for next tournament ICC, thanks.

Well M Marsh isn't in the squad as far as I know but would have been a huge improvement on the "out of his depth" Stoinus. Stoinus is currently the most hopeless passenger Australia have ever carried. If he is in the team and doesn't perform, sack every selector.

What are you on about Paul? The rule that says Australia wins is the perfect rule.

A bit of sandpaper will help them

Langer chopping and changing the line up, creating instability and doubt like we've been a 2-7 team not 7-2. The treatment of Maxwell is appalling. In the press conference he could have shut down that line of questioning immediately but didn't. Maxwell plays. He has had a great year, modest World Cup (much better than Stoinis anyway), but is a match winner and our only truly dangerous big hitter. Khawaja out for Handscomb is an upgrade. Khawaja bats too slowly and is out of position at 4. Marsh in for Stoinis is an upgrade, but either way I don't care. Lyon is our spinner. Back the rest in because we went 7-2 afterall. Langer over complicating everything as usual, creating distractions for the sake of it. The time for experimentation with someone like Wade for 6 months ago when he was tearing it up in domestic cricket.

It's still clear as mud. The second innings becomes a T20 (but could be say, 30 overs), however the first innings remains the same. D/L is then used to determine the 2nd inning target. Of course, if they still have 5 overs of the reduced 2nd innings left at the end of the day (presumably only because of further rain interruption - as the length of remaining 2nd innings would have been pre-determined based on time left), then back on the second day. That's the way I read it and what I heard Tuesday. However there is nothing on ICC website or statements I have seen issued which actually confirms this.

So in the scenario I mentioned, this effectively becomes a T20 game, as opposed to a full game because the second innings hadn't started - or reached the 20 over stage. I realize "thems the rules" but it seems an even harsher way to sort out a finalist for a comp held every 4 years with the term "World" attached to it, than the way the first finalist was decided. Can you imagine the outcry if the Poms bat first lose a few early wickets and by the 20 over stage are 4 for 100, BUT still have 30 overs to make another 200 when..... out of nowhere, a freak storm hits the ground, meaning Australia only has to bat for 20 overs, with a full compliment of batsmen, to knock England out of the Cup? This is one rule that REALLY needs to be changed.

This is what was confusing the situation during play on Tuesday. Apparently the match referee/umpires will grant up to a 2 hour extension of play and will in the first instance reduce one (or both) innings to a minimum of 20 overs to ensure a result on the scheduled day. The below is taken from the ICC WC19 Guidelines. It doesn't mention both teams facing equal overs, just that both teams must have the opportunity to bat a minimum number of overs. "If play is interrupted on the scheduled day, the umpires shall use the available extra time and, if necessary, reduce the number of overs to try to achieve a result on that day. Each team must have had the opportunity to bat for a minimum of 20 overs for a result to be achieved. If play has not resumed by the cut-off time required to allow the minimum number of overs to be bowled to achieve a result on the scheduled day, play shall be abandoned for the day and the Reserve Day shall be used to complete the match."

Carey (vs NZ 2019) - he saved that innings for Aussie.

I thought they had to play equal overs in the finals, assuming time allowed with the additional day, Jeff? In other words, if they get in a 50 over first innings today and the first 20 of the opposition's dig, then come back tomorrow, the same as they did with the first semi?

At this stage looks like rain for most of the 2nd innings. With the 2 hour extension of play permitted, they'll still get a 2nd innings of 20 overs to ensure completion of the match today, how many overs are available who knows and it will certainly influence thoughts on team(s) selection.

In order to win the World Cup, the mindset needs to be equally positive for the captain losing the toss ensuring that his team bowlers and fielders backing each other ensuring that the team batting first posting a modest total (e.g 250). Anything more than that, the chasing team will have pressure in view of the pressure cooker knock out game. The top order will need to maintain discipline not getting out early and put the middle order under pressure inside the first 10 overs. Both teams need a Plan B if things goes out of window. Australia Glenn Maxwell and England Jos Butler what an opportunity to announce your arrival at this World Cup. I am good so long as it is competitive and wish the better team wins. Hope it will live up the expectation of the 1st semi finals in terms of the thriller.

A narrow loss after winning 7/8 is hardly “hitting the wall.” England to choke.

Some Aussie down the order a bit needs to stand up .... like....Andrew Symmons, 2003) Steve Waugh, or Jadayja ( last night)

Australia will need a rearguard backup plan

One thing to learn from last night's match is neither side should be complacent as the pressure of winning a semi final has a huge effect. Indians openers failed miserably and the same thing can happen to Australia or England.

Warnie, I like way you think. Lots of LOLs on your comments. In reality I think ENG will bat first and score 360. AUS all out for roughly 160. AUS top order to go the same way as India did. I love this team but hate some of the selections (Stoinis, Zampa)

I hope Aussie win. But I have a feeling it is England’s time. The stars seem to be aligning. They should have missed the cut but they didn’t. Now they face a good but not unbeatable Australia. Kiwis also dealt with their big opposition. Though Finch is due for a win at the toss but I wouldn’t hang my hat