Contrast of fortunes in opening powerplay key to England win, says Chris Woakes

The 30-year-old took figures of three for 20 from his eight overs to help bowl Australia out for 223 at Edgbaston, before Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy put on 124 in England's reply

England bowler Chris Woakes believes England's performance in the opening powerplays in both innings was the difference as his side beat Australia by eight wickets at Edgbaston.

Woakes, on his home ground and in partnership with Jofra Archer, reduced Australia to 14 for three before Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy got off to a flyer in England's reply.

England were never in trouble after that point and despite the dismissals of both players, Eoin Morgan and Joe Root saw the hosts home and a showdown in the final against New Zealand at Lord's on Sunday, but it was the opening overs in both innings which Woakes believes was the difference.

"I am pretty speechless actually. An incredible performance from the whole team. Obviously starting well with the bowling performance and the way the guys knocked that off is pretty outstanding.

"I don't think it was a bad wicket by any means," he said.

^{Woakes decimated Australia's top order}

"I think we just found the right length, and when you pick wickets at the top they obvioulsy have to rebuild and build a new partnership.

"We got off to a flyer. And then we chased a relatively small total and that was probably the difference."

England will now face Kane Williamson's side, who beat India at Old Trafford, and Woakes is hopeful his side can claim a maiden World Cup win.

"It hasn't sunk in that we have reached a World Cup final, but hopefully we can go all the way.

"Coming into this World Cup, to be tipped as favourites it was important to get to the knockout stages in the first place and then win this in the fashion that we have against a good Australian side on the best ground in the world I think is just incredible."

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Morgan however believes that the final represents an opportunity for England to demonstrate how far they have come in the last four years, while also praising Woakes.

"It is an opportunity for us on Sunday, a huge one at that," Morgan said.

"Looking back at where we were in 2015 and looking ahead to where we will be on Sunday is a dramatic improvement and the style that we play and the level of expectation we have created, everyone should take a huge amount of credit for that.

"I think making the most of the opportunity will be fantastic on Sunday but getting there alone is awesome.

"Woakes is a cool customer, he goes about his business day in day out exceptionally, and over the last couple of years he has been one of the best bowlers in the first ten overs.

"Him and Jofra upfront were absolutely outstanding and probably one of the standout performances of the last four years in the first ten overs for us."

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