England cricket fans could be forgiven for feeling a little bewildered this morning as their team dominates both the front and back pages after a stunning demolition job on Australia that propelled them into Sunday’s World Cup final.
Adulation poured in from all quarters after a simply sensational performance against the Old Enemy at Edgbaston.
“Eoin Morgan’s players bared their teeth on the biggest cricketing day of their lives and mauled Australia,” says Michael Atherton in The Times. “Semi-finals can be fraught, nervy affairs but this was a thrashing - a glorious thrashing - England winning by eight wickets with almost 18 overs to spare.”
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It was almost too much for some seasoned observers of England’s cricketing travails. Vic Marks of The Guardian says their obliteration of the Aussies felt “faintly ridiculous”.
But Scyld Berry of the Daily Telegraph describes it as a “romp”, illuminated by “some of the most exhilarating one-day cricket this world has seen”.
“England overwhelmed Australia with their bowling - highlighted by their opening pair of Chris Woakes, the man of the match, and Jofra Archer - and with their batting, highlighted by their opening pair of Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow, and rounded off by the most brilliant running out of Steve Smith by Jos Buttler.”
Next up for England will be New Zealand at Lord's in Sunday's final - their first since 1992 - which will be broadcast on terrestrial TV.
