Cricket
Associated Press

Black Caps secure semifinal spot as England bows out of World Cup

November 12, 2023

England bowed out of the Cricket World Cup with a 93-run consolation win over Pakistan on Saturday, and Mitchell Marsh recorded his career-best ODI score as semifinal-bound Australia beat Bangladesh by eight wickets.

England finished seventh in the 10-team table with three victories from nine games in its disappointing campaign to defend the title it won at home in 2019, but it did manage to qualify for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

Ben Stokes’ 76-ball 84 formed the foundation of England’s strong total of 337-9 as Pakistan’s slim hopes of overtaking New Zealand on net run-rate for a place in the semifinal effectively ended once Jos Buttler won the toss and elected to bat.

Left-arm fast bowler David Willey claimed 3-56 in 10 overs in his last one-day international to leave with 100 ODI wickets as Pakistan was bowled out for 244 with another timid batting display by its top-order batters.

The last-wicket pair of Haris Rauf, who made 35, and Mohammad Wasim (16 not out) narrowed the margin of defeat with a quick-fire 53 runs before Pakistan was bowled out in 43.3 overs.

Pakistan finished fifth with eight points from four victories and five losses to edge sixth-place Afghanistan on superior net run-rate.

Australia finished third with 14 points — equal with second-place South Africa but lower on net run-rate.

The Aussies will play South Africa in the semifinals on Thursday in Kolkata. The two sides had also met in the 1999 World Cup semifinal at Edgbaston, where Australia advanced after a thrilling tied game.

Table-topper India will take on New Zealand in the first semifinal at Mumbai on Wednesday.

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