And now for today's weather ...published at 10:26 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
Summary
Australia fall three runs short
Eng 259-8: Beaumont 49, Brunt 45*, Villani 3-42
And now for today's weather ...published at 10:26 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
Postpublished at 10:26 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
Mel Jones
Former Australia batter on BBC Test Match SpecialThere is anticipation around this game. There will be nerves. It is the first morning I have woken up and felt a bit like I was still playing. It is arguably the biggest game of the tournament, barring the semis and final. This is a gauge of where these two teams are and how much England have improved.
Both bowling units haven't bowled as well as they would have liked. It is about plans now and who holds up best under pressure.
Team newspublished at 10:22 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
England XI: Winfield, Beaumont, Taylor, Knight, Sciver, Wyatt, Brunt, Gunn, Shrubsole, Hazell, Hartley.
Australia XI: Mooney, Bolton, Lanning, Perry, Villani, Blackwell, Healy, Jonassen, Gardner, Schutt, Beams.
One change for England - Fran Wilson has an ankle injury so Jenny Gunn comes in.
So as I mentioned, the big news for Australia is the return of captain Meg Lanning. She is one of two changes, with Megan Schutt also coming in to the side for Sarah Aley.
Postpublished at 10:22 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
Ebony Rainford-Brent
Ex-England batter on BBC Test Match SpecialBatting has been England's strength over the last few weeks. The wicket is a fresh one. If you looked with a naked eye you would think it is green and be worried. But we know it is green here and experience says there is nothing to worry about.
The last time England faced Australia in the World T20 and they crumbled mentally. But there have been lots of changes since then. They have mot won a World Cup game against Australia since 1993. You have to hope that won't have a negative effect.
England to bat firstpublished at 10:21 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
England captain Heather Knight wins the toss and has decided to have a bat first in sunny Bristol. Team news to follow, but here's a spoiler ... Meg Lanning returns for Australia.
Aussies cruisingpublished at 10:19 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
It’s been a perfect start for Australia with four wins out of four. Their previous encounter, thrashing Pakistan, being all the more impressive that it was done without captain marvellous Meg Lanning.
Image source, ReutersIn-form Englandpublished at 10:17 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
England dusted off any cobwebs from the opening day loss against India to post three convincing, consecutive wins. They’ve broken a few records along the way, including their highest ever Women’s World Cup total and their highest partnership for any wicket.
But South Africa’s 115 run win over India and New Zealand’s eight wicket victory against Pakistan yesterday has sent England to fifth in the table – outside of the semi-finals qualification places.
Must win? Not necessarily, but defeat will leave the hosts in a difficult position.
Image source, ReutersPostpublished at 10:15 British Summer Time 9 July 2017
Good morning,
Welcome to the big one in Bristol, world number one versus world number two, holders versus hosts.
Could this be a dress rehearsal for the final?