Cricket World Cup: England beaten by Australia in thriller

England had a chance to set a Women's World Cup record but lost to Australia in their opening match.

The defending champion was very close to being defeated by a magnificent 109 from NatSciver.

Needing 16 from the final over, England was only able to lose three.

On a day when Australia paid tribute to two greats, the tournament favourites posted the highest total by any team against England.

Meg Lanning weighed in with 86, while Rachael Haynes compiled a 130.

When Sciver and Brunt were at the crease, England needed 78 from 49 balls to win.

With the equation down to 16 from the last over, Australia bravely gave the ball to left-arm spinner Jonassen, who took a stunning one-handed return catch to dismiss Brunt and effectively end the contest.

Heather Knight's side can take heart from how far they pushed the tournament favorites, even though England suffer yet another defeat by the Australians.

The stiffest test in the group stage is behind them, and they should still make progress towards the semi-finals, starting against the West Indies on Wednesday.

They lost their opener against India but went on to beat the same opponents in the final.

South Africa avoided an upset against Bangladesh.

Bangladesh won by 32 runs despite being dismissed for 175.

England give themselves too much to do

The batting display was encouraging because England did not manage a total in excess of 178 in the three one-dayers.

England might wonder what might have been had they not invited pressure by allowing Australia to bat first and then deliver a flat display in the field.

When Lanning was on 26 and when Haynes had 73, she missed two half-chances, the first when she was slow to move and the second when she stuck a hand out at a sharp caught and bowled.

England were defiant with the bat, first through 74 from Tammy Beaumont and 40 from captain Knight.

When she took up the fight, she got support from Brunt and Dunkley but there was just too much to do.

Haynes stars before King's Warner tribute

Both teams observed a moment of silence before the start of the game to honor the memory of Warne and Marsh.

Haynes and Lanning were superb, judging the conditions, running hard, then unleashing an acceleration. Australia took 100 from the final 10 overs with Beth and Ellyse playing a part.

Even though England was being kept afloat, there was never a sense that Australia would lose control.

The leg-spinner who made a telling contribution was born in Victoria. Her delivery was delicious, she pitched outside leg stump to beat the outside edge and off stump. The niece of Ian removed the bails.

King followed up by bowling Dunkley behind her legs as she attempted a pre-meditated sweep.

It was a bold decision to trust her with the final set because she had conceded 16 from the previous two overs.

The catch she produced to dismiss Brunt, sticking up her left hand to hang on to a bullet above her shoulder, was worthy of winning any match.