<p>Joe Root has attempted to rally England with fighting words ahead of their World Cup clash against Australia, calling his team a better outfit "man for man" despite being last in the standings.</p><p>Jos Buttler's England have only a mathematical chance of making the semi-finals and a loss to their Ashes rivals will end their title defence.</p><p>Australia, meanwhile, sit third and are in ominous form after four consecutive wins.</p><p>Root said England, however, should be top of the table with the quality in their squad, and the players were "all very frustrated that wasn't the case."</p><p>"Man for man, I'd have this team every day over the Australians," Root told British media.</p><p>"We might not have played as well as we can do but we know when we play our best stuff, the best teams struggle to compete with us.</p><p>"We've just got to look at Saturday as our World Cup final and play in the manner that's expected of us and we expect of ourselves."</p><p>Australia captain Pat Cummins struggled to stifle laughter when asked about England's campaign following the champions' fourth defeat to Sri Lanka, saying it was "sad to see".</p>.Mayhem in Mumbai as India crush Lanka, storm into World Cup semifinal .<p>Root said England would probably be laughing, too, if positions were reversed.</p><p>"It hurts - it always hurts to be in this position to be sat at the bottom of the table. It's not what we expect of ourselves. If it motivates us a little bit more, then great."</p><p>Root's form has mirrored his team's fortunes, with scores of 0, 3, 2 and 11 in his last four innings.</p><p>He said he felt "really good in (his) game", while blaming a mix of poor luck and a tough lbw call for some of his dismissals.</p><p>"It's been really disappointing to not be more consistent. That's what I expect of myself," he added.</p><p>"Saturday is another opportunity to go and score runs, do what I expect of myself and what the team expects of me."</p>
<p>Joe Root has attempted to rally England with fighting words ahead of their World Cup clash against Australia, calling his team a better outfit "man for man" despite being last in the standings.</p><p>Jos Buttler's England have only a mathematical chance of making the semi-finals and a loss to their Ashes rivals will end their title defence.</p><p>Australia, meanwhile, sit third and are in ominous form after four consecutive wins.</p><p>Root said England, however, should be top of the table with the quality in their squad, and the players were "all very frustrated that wasn't the case."</p><p>"Man for man, I'd have this team every day over the Australians," Root told British media.</p><p>"We might not have played as well as we can do but we know when we play our best stuff, the best teams struggle to compete with us.</p><p>"We've just got to look at Saturday as our World Cup final and play in the manner that's expected of us and we expect of ourselves."</p><p>Australia captain Pat Cummins struggled to stifle laughter when asked about England's campaign following the champions' fourth defeat to Sri Lanka, saying it was "sad to see".</p>.Mayhem in Mumbai as India crush Lanka, storm into World Cup semifinal .<p>Root said England would probably be laughing, too, if positions were reversed.</p><p>"It hurts - it always hurts to be in this position to be sat at the bottom of the table. It's not what we expect of ourselves. If it motivates us a little bit more, then great."</p><p>Root's form has mirrored his team's fortunes, with scores of 0, 3, 2 and 11 in his last four innings.</p><p>He said he felt "really good in (his) game", while blaming a mix of poor luck and a tough lbw call for some of his dismissals.</p><p>"It's been really disappointing to not be more consistent. That's what I expect of myself," he added.</p><p>"Saturday is another opportunity to go and score runs, do what I expect of myself and what the team expects of me."</p>