It's almost as if Beth Mead somehow heard Alex Scott... She impresses again in the early stages, popping up at the near post to meet Lucy Bronze's low right-wing cross with a cheeky flick.

The thought is great, the execution is good. But it lacks the pace to trouble Mackenzie Arnold in the Australia goal.

Alex Scott
Ex-Arsenal Ladies & England international on Radio Five live sports extra

I think the Australian defenders didn't see Mead peel off the back of them, I don't think she's quite settled in the game yet as it's early on.

The fringe players, like Mead, really need to be taking those chances and staking their claim.

Image source, PA

Ooof! Australia off the hook. Their defence do a Chuckle Brothers impression - "To me, to you.." - allowing Beth Mead to nip in ahead of the keeper. But the Arsenal player's poked effort dribbles wide of the right-hand post.

Sharp stuff from the Lionesses. Alex Greenwood starts the move from left-back, harrying after a return pass from Toni Duggan, whipping in a cross which Fran Kirby just can't stick a toe on at the near post. Promising.

Image source, PA

Told you. Australia midfielder Lisa De Vanna charges into England counterpart Lucy Staniforth close to the halfway line ... and comes off worst. She's run it off.

England straight on the front from the off, a cross from right booted clear by a gold shirt.

High-tempo start. No such thing as a friendly between England and Australia, etc, etc.

"Der-der-der-der-der, der-der-der, ENGLAND!"

The drum beats are going, as is the match. We're under way in London...

Anthems? Check. Coin toss? Done. Rabble-rousing shouty stuff done by the PA announcer? Done.

Let's go!

Image source, Rex Features

Also a healthy green and gold contingent at Craven Cottage, unsurprising as there is more Aussie accents in west London than Sydney or Melbourne...

The Massive Attack-style mood music is blaring out of the Craven Cottage, breaking out into some upbeat tune (which I believes resembles modern pop) as the players stroll out of the tunnel.

Good to see plenty of kids in the crowd, all beaming and waving St George's flags. They're excited.

England manager Phil Neville: "The plan before was to utilise the full squad, I need to make sure our players are exposed to the world's best players.

"The five who have come in will be tested, as will those who have kept their places.

"I'm really looking forward to this because I think Australia will test us more than Brazil at the weekend.

"I want us to be more ruthless tonight. The players admitted they were careless in front of goal against Brazil. The 1-0 scoreline flattered Brazil.

"I want us to play with control and with style. That's the challenge I set them in the changing room about an hour ago."

Image source, Getty Images

Rob Stevens
BBC Sport at Craven Cottage

Craven Cottage provides a picturesque environment for football, with a mild evening on the banks of the Thames providing the setting as England women play their first match in London since 2014, with a crowd of around 8,000 expected.

Australia are ranked sixth in the world and, despite being under-strength for this match, will provide a decent challenge for the Lionesses as Phil Neville’s side continue their preparations for the World Cup in France next summer.

The former Manchester United midfielder says success at the World Cup can help the women’s game “explode” and England will be hoping to extend their five-match winning run after overcoming Brazil at the weekend.

Not everything has been smooth sailing for Captain Neville this week. That's because a few of his crew have been signed off sick.

Midfielder Jill Scott was forced to withdraw from the squad because of an ankle injury, returning to her club Manchester City for further assessment.

And her City team-mate Mel Lawley also had to pull out of the game this morning after falling ill.

Injuries forced City goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Seattle Reign forward Jodie Taylor, who was the top goalscorer at Euro 2017, to withdraw from the squad before the match against Brazil at Meadow Lane.

What sort of a threat will Australia pose tonight? A tough one, according to Phil Neville.

Australia, who are ranked sixth in the world, finished runners-up to defending world champions USA at the 2018 Tournament of Nations, leading Neville to pick out the Matildas as one of the "dark horses" for next year's World Cup.

"There is a consistency to their performances and structure and their players are playing in top leagues in the world," says the England manager.

Richard's rather extravagant mode of transport to the game has got us thinking... have you ever had a fancier/stranger journey to a match?

Ever parachuted into Portman Road? Or sped into Spotland in a sidecar? We want to know. Tweet #bbcfootball or text 81111.

Beats the walk down Fulham Palace Road from Hammersmith tube stop...

Rob Stevens
BBC Sport at Craven Cottage

Australia have been shorn of some of their regular players for their trip to Europe, including Ballon d’Or-nominated striker Sam Kerr, but still offer a blend of youth and experience.

Defender Clare Polkinghorne and striker Lisa De Vanna have over 100 caps, while midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight captains the Matildas on her 100th appearance for her country.

Teenagers Amy Sayer and Princess Ibini start, while 15-year-old Mary Fowler, who came off the bench in the defeat to France on Friday night, is once again named on the bench.

Rob Stevens
BBC Sport at Craven Cottage

England head coach Phil Neville hinted he would make changes for the visit if Australia, and makes five as he hands starts to Abbie McManus, Keira Walsh and Lucy Staniforth and Beth Mead.

Mary Earps, who started the final World Cup qualifier against Kazakhstan, gets the nod in goal and replaces Carly Telford.

The challenge for the Lionesses will be to improve on the performance against Brazil at Meadow Lane, and be more clinical when chances come their way.