Australia's Aaron Finch pre England
Australia's Aaron Finch speaks ahead of their crucial Cricket World Cup match with England
David Warner and Aaron Finch can lay claim to being the most consistent opening pair in World Cup history, notching up a fifth successive half-century stand.
The duo put on 123 for the first wicket against England on Tuesday, after they were sent in to bat at Lord's.
It marked the first time any opening pairing in World Cup history have hit five straight partnerships of 50 or more.
MATT DUNHAM
Australia's captain Aaron Finch hits a six.
The form pairing of the tournament, the Australian openers' streak now goes back to their loss to India, when they put on 61 for the first wicket.
They also knocked up 96 in the first match of the tournament against Afghanistan before failing for the only time against the West Indies.
They have put on more than 100 on the first wicket on three occasions too, against Pakistan, Bangladesh and England on Tuesday.
Only Adam Gilchrist and Adam Hayden in 2007 have hit as many century partnerships at the top of the order in a single World Cup.
DAVID ROGERS
David Warner of Australia pulls the ball for four runs.
It's telling, given by the time of their dismissals Warner was ranked No.1 in the tournament for runs scored with 500, while Finch was second on 496.
Finch said earlier this week the pair's success was largely down to their measured approach and desire to keep wickets in hand early.
"It hasn't probably been as quick as people are used to in the past when we've batted a bit of time together," Finch said on Sunday.
"There are no goals. There are no benchmarks we try and set (in the powerplay). But being no wickets down, that's crucial for any opening combination. That lays a really good foundation."
ALASTAIR GRANT
England's Jos Buttler, left attempts to stop a shot played by Australia's Usman Khawaja off the bowling of England's Adil Rashid.
The duo are also well on track to challenge Sri Lanka's Tillakaratne Dilshan and Upul Tharanga tally of 800 runs while batting together at the 2011 World Cup.
They have now put on 642 together in their partnerships for the tournament, with two more group matches and a likely finals berth to come.
Finch lost the toss and was made to bat first. England captain Eoin Morgan hoped his bowlers could cash in on muggy conditions after heavy overnight rain, and cloud overhead.
England have twice been beaten in this World Cup chasing - including last game against Sri Lanka - despite it originally being though batting second would be a better option at the tournament.
But after heavy overnight rain there remains a tinge of green to the pitch, Finch admitting he too would have bowled first had he won the toss.
England have not lost back-to-back one-day matches in more than two years, vowing to be aggressive in their response to Friday's shock loss to Sri Lanka.
MICHAEL STEELE
Ben Stokes of England shows his frustration as Aaron Finch (r) and Usman Khawaja (l) of Australia build on their second wicket partnership.
AUSTRALIA: Aaron Finch (capt), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Lyon
ENGLAND: Jonny Bairstow, James Vince, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan (capt), Jos Buttler, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes, Moeen Ali, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Mark Wood.
