Are Australia's tactics outdated... and what does Nathan Lyon have to do? WORLD CUP TALKING POINTS

HUW TURBERVILL AT THE OVAL: Australia remain very much on track for the semi-finals, but they are still not convincing as potential champions. Some of their tactics have a lot of people talking

Top four nailed on?
There is a sense that the semi-final line-up of the 2019 World Cup is becoming increasingly nailed on like a Boris Johnson leadership victory after Australia beat Sri Lanka at The Oval – comfortably by 87 runs in the end, after a scare.

Perhaps Pakistan could still cause a shock, but most people’s money is on India or England topping the group, with Australia and New Zealand also going through. It is more grist to the mill for those who say this tournament’s format lacks jeopardy.

Old-fashioned Aussies unconvincing or efficient?
Australia remain very much on track for the semi-finals, with four wins and just that one defeat to India, but they are still not convincing as potential champions. Some of their tactics have a lot of people talking. Are they perfect for winning the World Cup (of 1999)?

Or are they sensible for this edition, 20 years later and back in the UK, factoring in English conditions, this grisly summer, the fact that bowlers have been more influential so far than expected? After being given first use by Sri Lanka, they started well enough, posting 53 off 10.

But then the next 15 overs brought 57. At the halfway stage it was 100 for 2 against, what has to be said, a pretty moderate Sri Lankan attack. David Warner potted around again as if he was spending Saturday afternoon on the allotment, for 26 off 47 balls.

Of the 27 players who have topped 100 runs this tournament, his strike-rate is second-lowest. Usman Khawaja has been shunted up and down the order. This time he was back at No.3, and he dilly dallied his way to 10 off 20. Will Australia consider swapping the duo?

^{Aaron Finch is the tournament's top run-scorer.}

Fabulous Finch leads the way
Fortunately for Australia Aaron Finch was brilliant for them. Captain Marvel even. He loves The Oval. He was more positive than Warner from the off, but when the left-hander went, the malaise affected him.

He hit 14 successive singles. But he perked up brilliantly. His 153 equalled his ODI best. It was his 14th ODI century. He is now the leading run-scorer in the tournament with 343 at 68.6 and a strike-rate of 110. Warner is second with 281 at 70.25 but his strike-rate – 76.98 – is pedestrian by comparison.

Joe Root has 279 at 93, strike-rate 97.55. Steve Smith also batted beautifully for his 73 from 59 balls (he now has 243/48.6/89.33). His form looks ominous ahead of the Ashes on this evidence.

Toothless bowlers lacking Lyon's bite
Australia’s support bowling is still not convincing. There is no doubting the quality of Mitchell Starc, who now has 12 wickets, and Pat Cummins, who has 11. Jason Behrendorff and Kane Richardson lack their potency – although to be fair to them they fought back well after Sri Lanka’s early onslaught (87 for 0 off 10).

Glenn Maxwell bowled tidily – conceding only 46 off 10. What does Nathan Lyon need to do to get a game? If Maxwell could do that, Lyon could have taken 2 for 40.

Are Sri Lanka over-reliant on Lasith Malinga?

Malinga out on his own
It will now be a massive surprise if Sri Lanka make the semis (one win, two defeats, two no-results. Their bowling was ordinary. Veteran slingster Lasith Malinga stuck to his task well.

He yorked Smith with a beauty from around the wicket. Just three more and he has 50 World Cup victims. He remains great at the death. Dhananjaya de Silva also bowled well. The offie checked Australia at a crucial time, and took 2 for 40. Sri Lanka’s fielding was poor though and must improve.

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Runs on the board
Runs on the board remain key in ODI cricket. Sri Lanka were 156 for 2 off 25. They looked well poised, with wickets in hand. But Australia held their nerve, their fielders took their catches, and Sri Lanka’s resistance petered out. Kusal Mendis and Thisara Perera gave their wickets away when they could have run Australia close.

Australia and World Cups - a match made in heaven
Australia’s mastery of Sri Lanka in World Cups continued. They have won eight, with one result and only one defeat. Although to be fair that was rather memorable – in the final, in 1996. This was no cracker but the match was decent enough. And – thank goodness – it did not rain!

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