India thrashed a low lying Sri Lanka by 7 wickets to confirm their position at the numero uno spot in the points table. The Lankan team posted a total of 264/7 runs at the end of 50 overs courtesy Angelo Mathews brilliant 113 off 128 balls to take his team to a fighting total. Jasprit Bumrah was the star for India in the bowling department with three wickets.
Lot was expected from Lasith Malinga in his farewell world cup game for the Islanders but he fail to make a mark as Indian openers looked in the sublime touch. They added 189 runs for the first wicket to consolidate their position in the game. Both KL Rahul(111 off 118 balls) and Rohit Sharma(103 off 94 balls) struck a century followed by an unbeaten 34 by Virat Kohli to give India a 7 wickets victory and finish the league stage with 16 points in 9 games that includes a rain washed game against New Zealand.
On the other hand, Australia lost a high scoring thriller against a low lying South Africa by 10 runs to finish at number two spot in the points table. South Africa posted a total of 325/6 courtesy Faf Du Plessis 100 off 94 balls and Rassie van der Dussen’s 95 off 97 balls.
In reply, Australian openers failed to fire and the untested middle order failed to perform that became the reason for their demise. Wicket-keeper batsman Alex Carey and lower order batsman showed some intent but it was not enough to win the game for the Australian team. Kagiso Rabada was the highlight in the bowling department as he scalped three crucial wickets.
Kevin Pietersen predicts the finalists
After the conclusion of league stage, we have our four semi-finalists- India(1), Australia(2), England(3) and New Zealand(4). Virat Kohli’s side will face a depleted New Zealand in the first semi final on 9th July at Manchester while an in form England will clash against their Ashes rivals Australia in the second semi-final on 11th July at Birmingham.
Which two teams do you think will make it to the #CWC19 final? #TeamIndia #CmonAussie #WeAreEngland #BackTheBlackcaps pic.twitter.com/MeyRwZggRi
— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 6, 2019
Meanwhile, former England International- Kevin Pietersen has come up with a prediction for the finalists of the tournament and opined that India and England will clash in the summit clash on 14th July at the Lord’s in London. The veteran of 104 test matches said that England will get the better of Australia in the semi-finals to meet India in the finals.
“We’ll whack the Aussies! Eng v India FINAL! ,” Pietersen tweeted
We’ll whack the Aussies!
Eng v India FINAL!
— Kevin Pietersen? (@KP24) July 6, 2019
