ENGLAND’S World Cup hopes - and James Vince’s place in the team - are in the balance after a disastrous defeat against Australia at Lord’s.

Australia booked their place in the semi-finals with a 64-run victory - after Hampshire captain Vince was bowled for a duck as England were skittled for 221 in reply to Australia’s 285-7.

After misadventures against Pakistan and Sri Lanka, England ran aground when chasing for the third time in the tournament.

With India and New Zealand still to play, there is now minimal leeway if the world’s number one side are to reach the semi-finals of their own competition.

Vince’s latest failure at the top of the order means Jason Roy may now be recalled for the must-win game against India at Edgbaston on Sunday - even if he is not 100 per cent fit.

England captain Eoin Morgan has admitted England’s “batting mantra” has deserted them just when they need it most.

Morgan vowed to “lead from the front” in the last two group games after England’s winless World Cup run against their old rivals was extended to 29 years.

World number one 50-over side England had beaten Australia in 10 of their last 11 one-day Internationals before Tuesday’s comprehensive loss, leaving Morgan chastened but by no means kowtowed.

“Everything is in our control, and we just need to produce performances worthy of winning either one or the next two games,” said Morgan.

“We’ve struggled with the basics of what we call our batting mantra, showing intent, building partnerships and doing it in our own way.

“We haven’t done those for long enough periods of games. Either chasing down 230 or 280, that’s disappointing.

“Our batting mantra is always evolving - the way we’ve played it’s evolved quite a lot.

“I thought the way we played against Afghanistan in the first 15 overs, probably in 2015 and 2016 would not have happened.”

Jason Behrendorff claimed a maiden ODI five-wicket haul on his Lord’s debut as England crumbled to a third defeat in seven round-robin matches.

Ben Stokes hit a battling 89 while dealing with tightness in his calves, but injured Jason Roy’s stand-in James Vince failed again with a duck, with Morgan, Joe Root and Moeen Ali also failing to reach double figures.

England compounded their loss to Sri Lanka with another wayward performance, leaving Morgan to concede that confidence could now take a dent.

“I think it will take a little bit of a hit, but not across the changing room,” he said.

“We go back to what we do well and we’ll still strive to do that in Sunday’s game (against India at Edgbaston).

“Ideally I’d like to lead from the front.

“The majority of captains have success when they lead from the front.

“So contributions in the next two games from me might have an impact in the changing room. So hopefully I can make a difference.”

England could wind up facing Australia again in the knockout stages, but Morgan rejected suggestions their old foes now have a psychological edge.

Asked if 29 years without a World Cup win over Australia plays on England minds, Morgan said: “No, because I’ve only played against them in two World Cups and I’m 32-years-old.”

l Hampshire are still firmly in the County Championship’s title race after Essex thrashed leaders Somerset by 151 runs.

They are 26 points off Somerset going into their next match - against the leaders at Taunton on Sunday - after third-placed Essex’s triumph at Chelmsford.

Jamie Porter followed up his 5- 51 in the first innings by blasting through Somerset’s batting line-up with figures of 4-22 - as the early pacesetters were bowled out for 117 yesterday.

England turned their disastrous World Cup 2015 performance on its head with ultra aggressive batting, and headed into the tournament with many pondering the hosts breaching the 500-run barrier.

Tournament bosses the International Cricket Council have favoured less batsman-friendly pitches than England would have preferred, however, creating enticing contests but stymieing the hosts’ scoring.

Morgan conceded England have to get to grips with trickier pitches than they would like - and fast.

Asked if he had been surprised by the pitches, Morgan said: “Not so much with the weather that we’ve had with the last week or so.

“That’s been a challenge, there was a lot of rain last night, the wicket this morning was soft.

“Whether it’s today, tomorrow, next week, during the semi-finals, wickets will be slow, low, they do wear. That’s the nature of ICC events.”

Behrendorff insisted England remain favourites despite their hefty loss, even though Australia’s record five World Cup triumphs weighs even heavier now on their rivals.

“The competition’s still very open, England are probably still firm favourites being the home country,” said Behrendorff.

“We’ll just keep aspiring to play good cricket, but we’re not favourites that’s for sure.”

Asked if Australia can go on and win the title, however, he added: “Oh for sure, again, momentum is a huge thing in tournament play.

“We’ve got two big games coming up as well, so ideally two more wins there and go into the semi-finals in great momentum.”