England have positive record against Australia in last four years: Root

England's star batsman Joe Root says they have the ability to exact revenge for the league stage loss to Australia when the arch-rivals meet in Thursday's World Cup semifinal.

England were downed in convincing fashion by their fiercest rivals at Lord's last month and looked in serious danger of missing out on the semi-finals at their home tournament.

But back-to-back wins over India and New Zealand turned the tables and have put the No.1 ODI side in world on a collision course with Australia at Edgbaston in the second semi-final.

England have lost their last two clashes with Australia including a warm-up game before the showpiece Cup began, but before that Root and co had the edge with a series win Down Under and a 5-0 whitewash on home soil.

"If you look at the past 11 games against them we have won nine," he said.

"These guys and this group over the last four years, their experience against Australia have been very positive and they have got a lot of success in the bank.

"I don't see that as a big worry for this group, we will be drawing on that confidence that over a long period of time now we have been successful against Australia and we should take that into Thursday."
"You can look at form, statistically who is stronger, but it all comes down to who handles the day better, who plays the stronger cricket for the longest period and who will stand up and be victorious at the end of it."