Australia vs England, 2nd Match, Pool A - Live Cricket Score, Commentary

It was that kind of a day when the wicket-takers were aided more by the fielders than their skills with the ball. Steven Finn had the rub of the green towards the end of the Australian innings. It was Mitchell Marsh's turn soon after. After picking three important wicket, he got two more thanks to some brilliant catching. Eoin Morgan toe-ended a pull and Haddin pulled off a stunner even though he went off the wrong-foot initially. Buttler became Marsh's fifth victim and was again a victim of a sensational catch. Steven Smith, at short cover, dived full length to his right to intercept a firm drive and send Buttler back. It was Mitchell Marsh's maiden five-wicket haul in ODIs

Four-time champions Australia, playing their first World Cup game at home in 23 years, will be eager to start their campaign in style when they take on England in their opening game on 14th February, 2015. Meanwhile, the Eoin Morgan-led side will be keen on coming up with an allround performance and prevent their traditional rivals from getting off to a winning start.

The co-hosts of the 2015 World Cup are in superb form, having lost only one of their last 13 ODIs. They overcame India and England with ease in the recently-concluded tri-series and are looking set to extend their good form into the World Cup.

England, under Eoin Morgan, will be playing without any expectations, considering their poor ODI form. Taking the captaincy away from Alastair Cook has done little to change the fortunes of the side, apart from a couple of wins against India in the recent tri-series. England's ODI form has been dismal in the last couple of years. Since 2013, England have only managed a couple of series wins - against New Zealand in Feb. 2013 and West Indies in Feb. 2014 (One-off wins against Scotland and Ireland not considered.)

Eoin Morgan called right and chose to bowl first. The England skipper reckoned that there would be some moisture in the wicket due to rain overnight. George Bailey was unperturbed though and indicated that he wanted to bat anyway. Ballance came in for Ravi Bopara for England. No surprises in the Australian eleven as they went in with Hazlewood. No room for Doherty.

Playing eleven:

Teams:

England: Moeen Ali, Ian Bell, Gary Ballance, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan(c), James Taylor, Jos Buttler(w), Chris Woakes, Stuart Broad, Steven Finn, James Anderson

Australia: David Warner, Aaron Finch, Shane Watson, Steven Smith, George Bailey(c), Glenn Maxwell, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin(w), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood

James Anderson created an opportunity in the very first over of the match. Aaron Finch flicked a delivery off his hips straight to square leg where Chris Woakes was caught dozing. A straightforward chance went right through his hands and Finch got off to the mark. Will it prove costly? We'll have to wait and see.

There was no shortage of action right from the outset. After Woakes dropped Finch, the latter got off to a cracking start. A pulled boundary off Broad set the tone and he unleashed a flurry of boundaries. 18 runs came off Anderson's third over. Warner, at the other end, was a little edgy but he too got a life. Jmaes Taylor spilled a tough chance at mid off as Warner drove uppishly. Anderson was the unlucky bowler again.

The fifty-run stand came in just the 7th over.

Given his recent run of form, the wicket of Steven Smith was a huge one for England. They seemed to have a specific plan for the man in form. Smith's tendency to shuffle around in the crease allowed England's bowlers to try and nip the ball in off a fuller length. Smith looked distinctly uncomfortable and it was not long before he got an inside edge onto a similar delivery.

Australia managed to put on 57 without losing a wicket but lost their next three wickets for just 13 runs. England had pulled things back superbly.

Stuart Broad is just that kind of a bowler isn't he? Out of nowhere he manages to create an impact and proves why he is so valuable to England. Australia were cruising in the 8th over. Broad opened the bowling and conceded 24 in his first three overs but suddenly it all changed.

David Warner was beaten all ends up by a full delivery that nipped in a shade and the stumps were clattered. Shane Watson poked out at a length delivery that nipped away a shade and was caught behind. Broad was on a hat-trick now and the tempo of the game changed dramatically.