It was their second defeat of the campaign, coming after a 14-run loss to Pakistan at Trent Bridge, although they are still well placed to make the semi-finals.

"The cat is among the pigeons," former England captain Michael Vaughan wryly noted.

Next up is Australia at Lord's on Tuesday. England have worked too hard over the past four years, having risen from the ashes of the 2015 World Cup disaster in Australia and New Zealand, to let this latest campaign slip. Or have they? Lose to Australia and the British press will feed on the "chokers" tag.

Under captain Eoin Morgan, a man steeled by his upbringing on a modest housing estate near Dublin, England have had a stubborness about their demeanour, and have been determined to not let any potential mishap derail their campaign.

However, former players and now prominent commentators including Mike Atherton and Vaughan have all questioned whether England can hold their nerve and deal with expectation.

They had been favourites to claim the 2017 Champions Trophy only to lose the semi-final in Cardiff to Pakistan when they looked to smack more than 300 on a pitch that did not suit. Instead, they were fired out for 211. Stokes' inability to maintain a disciplined line with the ball in the final over of the World Twenty20 final against the West Indies still haunts some.

What is their key strength?

It's their batting but in their two defeats this campaign they have failed to chase down 232 and 348. That only adds to murmurs they have the wobbles when the pressure is on.

The genesis of England's rise came when New Zealand toured in 2015. In their first series under new coach Trevor Bayliss, the change of plan was clear. Having taken a cautious approach for so long, England cracked 4-408 in the first of a five-match series against the Black Caps.

There were three more scores above 300, and two of 350 or more. It's understood this style had wanted to be embraced leading into the earlier World Cup but players baulked when worried about retaining their spots. Don't forget Alastair Cook had been sacked two months before the showpiece event, and replaced by Morgan.

There was also a change in philosophy. Some believe the team had become too bogged down in analysis. Now the message was "see ball, hit ball" but within the prism of summing up the game situation.

Under Morgan, England, once of the plodders of ODI cricket, are now the batting brutes.

"That was Eoin's decision. He has driven this," Vaughan told the Sunday Age and Sun Herald.

England realised that big scores would be needed come this World Cup on the small English grounds, and have built their side accordingly.

There has also been a change in pitches. Where there had been several grassy decks prepared through the 2013 Champions Trophy, they have since been flatter and provided less seam and swing, allowing power batsmen to hit through the ball.

This side features four of the top six leading century makers for England - Joe Root (16), Morgan (12), Jos Butler (9) and Roy (9). Marcus Trescothick (12) and Kevin Pietersen (9) also made up that group.

But what onlookers have noted is the pace of their tons. Of all players who have posted at least two centuries since 2015, Butler has a strike rate of 125 and Roy 107.6 while Root, who still plays more of a "glue" role, has gone at 91. This is higher than the career strike-rate of Pietersen (86.58), the ultimate master blaster.

Consider this over recent years. England have posted the two highest scores in ODI history - 6-481 against Australia, and 3-444 against Pakistan. Butler thumped England's fastest ODI century, off 46 balls, against Pakistan in 2015.

Robin Smith had held England's highest ODI score (167 not out against Australia) from 1993 to 2016 but that was broken by Alex Hales (171 against Pakistan). Butler crunched the most sixes in an innings by an Englishman, 12 against the West Indies this year.

Rival coaches have also noted that England have looked to take advantage of the powerplay regulations inside the opening 10 overs. Where Australia have gone retro and look to be more conservative in this period, a model India have also embraced, Jonny Bairstow - having a mixed World Cup - and Roy have looked to attack.

"But will it come off in the semi finals? Root is the glue to the batting order," Vaughan said.

What about their bowling?

Former Australian fast bowler Jason Gillespie says Jofra Archer - whom he coaches at county side Sussex - has changed the dynamic of England's attack.

"He can go from 85mph (137km/h) to 95mph (152mp/h)  and there so little change in his effort," he said. "And the thing is, I believe Test cricket will be his best format."

The Barbados-born Archer, who the England and Wales Cricket Board changed their qualification rules for to spirit him into the World Cup and - almost certainly - Ashes squads, will be a strike weapon that rounds out an already formidable attack.

It's understood Root was central to having the rules eased so Archer could debut this year. In Mark Wood and Jofra, England have arguably the two quickest bowlers at the World Cup - and through the Ashes - for they can touch speeds in excess of 150km/h. They shared in six wickets against Sri Lanka.

Archer's averaged speeds of 145km/h in a wind-assisted first spell against Bangladesh - the quickest by an Englishmen ever in an opening spell of an ODI. Come the Ashes, Wood and Archer will have swing king Jimmy Anderson and Stuart Broad by their sides - and all using the Dukes ball.

In leg-spinner Adil Rashid and off-spinner Moeen Ali - each of whom are also in the World Cup - England have a balanced attack.

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In the field

England, Australia and India are regarded as the three best fielding sides. Australia rate their own catching on "grade one" and "grade two" attempts, that being tough chances to ones that should have been taken. They say they are doing well.

Australia are also hoping to turn the clock back and again "own the ring", that being the infield, through intimidation and pressure, hopefully leading to run outs. Look at what Aaron Finch did with a brilliant throw against Bangladesh.

England are doing the same but it has been pointed out they can fall apart - as they did against Pakistan when they made 11 misfields, including a dropped catch by Roy, that cost 17 runs, three more than Pakistan's winning margin.

They had saved 64 runs in the field against South Africa in the opening game. But now comes a significant test in trying to handle David Warner, Aaron Finch and Steve Smith.

In a nutshell

This is England's Cup to lose, a once-in-a-generation chance to savour victory on home soil. Will four years of effort be squandered over the next three weeks? A nation hopes not.