England's World Cup hangs in the balance after drubbing by Australia

Australia celebrate one of Jason Behrendorff's five wickets during their thumping of England.

After all the dialogue surrounding England's pursuit of 500, and how this would be the unloseable World Cup for England, the number one ranked ODI side and in home conditions, the wheels have certainly fallen off. After losing to Sri Lanka chasing a mere 232 for victory, England have once again failed to chase, this time Australia's 285 for 7. Eoin Morgan won the toss and sent Australia in on a damp and green wicket, but it was not his openers that would have an impact in the match, rather the Australian batsmen would put on 123 for the first wicket, with Warner finally dismissed in the 23rd over for 53 to a popping off spinner from Moeen Ali. Aaron Finch was joined at the crease by Usman Khawaja (23) and then Steve Smith (38) who helped push the Australian tally towards 200 at around the 35 over mark. Finch was the key for the Australian's, hitting 11 fours and 2 sixes on his way to an even 100. When he was dismissed the ball after bringing up his century by a well directed bouncer from Jofra Archer, it would spark a reverse of momentum that would see England pull in Australia, restricting them to just another 100 runs off the remaining overs. Alex Carey once again added some valuable lower order runs for the Australian's. For England, it was Chris Woakes who was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with 2 for 46 off his 10 overs, with a wicket each to Archer, Mark Wood, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali. Needing just under 6 an over, England could not have started their chase any worse. Second ball, Jason Behrendorff would rearrange James Vince's castle to send him back for a duck. Mitchell Starc would remove Joe Root in the 4th over, and Eoin Morgan in the 6th to leave England reeling at 3 for 26. Ben Stokes led the resistance for England, and was assisted by Jonny Bairstow (27), Jos Buttler (25) and Chris Woakes (26). Stokes looked in control and despite the position they found themselves in, whilst ever Stokes was at the crease England remained a faint chance of chasing down Australia's total. Aaron Finch would go to his strike bowler, Starc, who would remove Stokes for 89 with the most perfect inswinging (reverse-swinging) yorker, which saw Stokes drop his bat, kicking it in sheer disappointment. From there, it was a non event. Behrendorff was reintroduced, and finished with career best figures of 5 for 44, whilst Mitchell Starc finished with 4 for 43 and arguably was the pick of the bowlers. England comprehensively defeated by 64 runs, now must defeat both undefeated sides New Zealand and India to ensure they qualify for the semi-finals. THE STAR

Aaron Finch was batting on another wicket during the Australian's innings as he made it look too easy, causing to his second century of the tournament.

Aaron Finch, with his second century in the tournament, simply out-played all other batsmen on that wicket. His dismissal immediately after reaching the milestone could have been a different moment in itself, however the wicket remained two paced and conducive to sideways movement. Finch would also show more tactical nous than his counterpart which surely played a part in his sides victory. THE MOMENT

Ben Stokes could not do anything against this absolute peach from Mitchell Starc.

With Stokes and Woakes beginning to form a partnership that was worrying the Australian's, Finch turned to Starc who delivered. With Stokes on 89 and playing as freely as Aaron Finch did earlier in the day, Starc was able to send down an unplayable, inswinging yorker that would leave a dejected Stokes kicking his bat off the wicket.

THE FAILURE

A dejected Eoin Morgan walks off after being dismissed by Mitchell Starc.

Eoin Morgan was poised with the proposition of producing a captains knock, just like his opposite number did, to resurrect his sides innings. Coming in at 2 for 15, England needed Morgan to survive the difficult period to shelter the free scoring middle and tail-order. Instead, it was obvious from ball one that he was tentative, jumping away from short pitched balls from Mitch Starc, and his footwork was almost non-existent. Eventually, Starc would set him up, having him caught at fine leg to a perfectly bowled, and planned, bouncer.

WHAT NEXT - England take on India on Sunday, whilst Australia have New Zealand in a rematch of the 2015 final on Saturday. TONIGHT - The undefeated New Zealand come up against Pakistan who are looking to keep their World Cup hopes alive.