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Australia tops Cricket World Cup Group

By Pratika Mala

Sunday 16/06/2019

[Photo: Australian Cricket / Twitter]

Australia leads the Cricket World Cup group as the heroic exploits of Aaron Finch and Mitchell Starc secure an 87-race win against Sri Lanka.

Australia ascended to first place after the victory over Sri Lanka.

Tomorrow, it is India and Pakistan at Old Trafford! # CWC19 pic.twitter.com/CHpIfXVpv1

– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 15, 2019

Captain Finch led from the front for Australia and did not fear having to fight first under a cloudy sky and a stiff breeze.

Aaron Finch was the player of the match for his brilliant 153 in view of Australia's victory # CWC19 https://t.co/bbwNOx9Zrl

– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) June 15, 2019

A fourth win in five games allows Australia to stay one point ahead of New Zealand, a position they could keep until their next game.

Although they have now defeated Afghanistan, the West Indies, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, they have voiced their concerns both at batting and bowling.

Australia, whose only defeat so far has been beaten by India, will face Bangladesh at 9:30 pm on Thursday knowing that another win could see them put a foot in the last four.

Sri Lanka's second defeat in five games, after giving up her last two games without throwing a ball, leaves behind her quest for a semifinal spot.

Sri Lanka will play England at 9:30 pm on Friday.

Meanwhile, South Africa has won its first victory in this World Cup by defeating Afghanistan by nine wickets.

South Africa will now face New Zealand this Wednesday at 9:30 pm, while Afghanistan will face England this Tuesday at 9:30 pm.

India will play against Pakistan at 9:30 tonight.

The format of the group stage is a round robin in which the ten teams meet once, in a single group.

This means that a total of 45 games will be played, with each team playing a total of nine games.

The top four teams in the group will advance to the semi-finals.

Australia is now leading the standings, New Zealand in second place, England in third place and India in fourth place.

The first semifinal will be played on the 9th of next month at 9:30 pm while the second semifinal will be played on the 10th of next month at 9:30 pm.

The final will be played on the 14th of next month.

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