Aussie newspaper compares 'crude and grim' Lionesses to Jardine's Ashes team

An Australian newspaper has accused the Lionesses of 'resorting to skullduggery' in their historic World Cup semi-final win against the Matildas, with their approach dismissed as 'Bodyline in boots'.

A stunning strike from Sam Kerr was not enough to seal Australia's place in the World Cup final against Spain, with Tony Gustavsson's side falling to a 3-1 defeat to England in Sydney on Wednesday.

Writing in The Australian on Friday, however, Will Swanton was not in the mood to compliment Sarina Wiegman's side.

The Lionesses' win, he wrote, was ' a victory most foul'. England had 'resorted to skullduggery' in a bid to stop Kerr, replicating the approach adopted by Douglas Jardine in the famous 'Bodyline' Ashes series.

'A crude, grim and unimaginative team lowered themselves and lost respect by adopting a desperate football version of the distasteful tactic employed by Douglas Jardine’s Ashes side during the infamous Australian summer of 1932-33.

'The other term for Bodyline is even more appropriate to the Matildas’ 3-1 defeat in Sydney. Leg theory.

'Leg theory, ankle theory, shinbone theory, stomp-on-Kerr’s-foot-theory, nearly-kick-her-in-the-face theory … take your pick.'

England gave 11 fouls to Australia's three on Wednesday, with nine of them coming in the first 45 minutes.

In his column, Swanton accuses England defender Alex Greenwood of deliberately trying to injure Kerr, who was making her first start of the tournament after recovering from a calf strain.

'You’d never see a more blatant and pathetic demonstration of one player trying to injure another,' he wrote.

'It was cringe-­worthy. Cynical. Shameful. Cowardly. Undignified. Greenwood knew exactly who she was tackling. More to the point, she knew how she wanted to do it.'

From the early exchanges, England looked determined to stop Australia as far high up the field as possible to disrupt their rhythm, much to the annoyance of Matildas fans on social media.

Their tactical plan worked a treat, as the Lionesses dictated the tempo of the game for much of the contest, bar a short spell after Kerr's equaliser when momentum looked to be swinging Australia's way.

The Matildas were in the ascendency for just seven minutes, before Lauren Hemp restored England's lead and Alessia Russo sealed the win late on.

While Swanton dismissed England as a 'crude and unimaginative team', the numbers paint a different picture.

The Lionesses had 54 percent of possession to Australia's 46, led the shot count nine to six, of which five were on target to the Matildas' four.

And so far at this World Cup, England have scored more goals - 13 to 10 - and conceded fewer than Australia - three to six.

However begrudgingly, Swanton accepted England deserved some credit.

'Credit to the Lionesses in areas it’s due. They did what they set out to do,' he wrote.

'Play rough. Win. World Cup semi-finals are a results-based business.'