Leeds: With the round-robin league of ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 is set to end on Saturday, July 6, cricket lovers across the world are now gearing up for the semifinals. Australia, India, England and New Zealand have qualified for the last-four stage of this showpiece event. Now, the big question is who will face India in the semifinal? Table topper Australia and India, who are second on the points table with 13 points, will play South Africa and Sri Lanka on Saturday. The results will decide who will finish the round-robin league as a table topper.
Let's have a look at the possible scenarios for the semifinals that will begin on July 9.
Points table scenario of semifinalists. With England and New Zealand are done with their league matches finishing at third and fourth spot, it is now confirmed that the Black Caps will play semifinal 1 in Manchester while the hosts, Three Lions, will play the second-placed team in Birmingham on July 11 in semifinal 2.
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Going by the form both India and Australia are expected to win their respective matches today. However, an Indian win against the Lankans and Australia's defeat against the struggling Proteas could change the semifinal scenario.
Scenario 2- India vs England semifinal
England will play semifinal 2 in Birmingham on July 11. As defending champions Australia have been in terrific form, they are likely to beat the patchy Proteas and meet 2015 World Cup runners-up New Zealand in the first semifinal. It means India will play England, who have already defeated Virat Kohli's men at Edgbaston during a league phase match, in the semifinal 2. Toss will play a crucial role in deciding the winner of this clash as wicket gets slower in the second innings which will be tricky for the chasing side.
Scenario 1 - India vs New Zealand semifinal
New Zealand will play the first knockout game of 2019 World Cup at the Old Trafford. But who will be their opponents? They would not like to face Australia again as they succumbed to a crushing 86-run defeat against their Trans-Tasmanina opponent in the round-robin league match.
New Zealand will play semifinal 1 in Manchester on July 9. On the other, their group league match against India was rained off in Nottingham without a ball being bowled.
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With India have an unsettled middle order, The Black Caps will like to play the sub-continent team on Tuesday in Manchester.
For that to happen India have to beat Sri Lanka and Australia have to lose to South Africa, so the Men in Blue can finish at the top with 15 points. If this scenario becomes a reality Australia will face England, who have already lost to the Aussies by 64 runs at the Lord's, the venue of the final, at the Edgbaston on Thursday in semifinal 1.
