Finch leads from the front with superb Lord's ton

Australia captain Aaron Finch has continued his dominant World Cup campaign, leading from the front with his second century of the tournament in what shapes as his side's most important group-stage match.

In front of a packed Lord's crowd on a seaming surface, Finch survived an exhilarating early onslaught from England's quicks to bring up a fairy-tale hundred off 116 balls against the tournament favourites.

Kissing the badge on his helmet, Finch held his arms aloft to the famed pavilion and shared a hug with batting partner Steve Smith after bringing up the landmark on a Chris Woakes misfield in the 36th over of his side's innings.

Image Id: 2506E6A6A64842BAAC5E9016B6AFA68C Image Caption: Finch's century came from 115 balls // Getty

The right-hander then departed the very next ball with the score on 185, with Woakes making up for his blunder by safely pouching a top-edged hook shot off Jofra Archer.

It's the second time in three games Finch raised the bat at this World Cup having carted Sri Lanka for 153 off 132 balls at The Oval.

It also marks the 15th time he's reached triple-digits in a one-day international, putting him one behind opening partner David Warner and legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist, who have 16 apiece.

Seven of his 15 tons have come against England alone, while he's now scored two in as many World Cup games against the old enemy after his match-winning 105 against them in their opening game of the 2015 edition at the MCG.

Image Id: BFA79EADB3F04D7EBC26AB318667B9C4 Image Caption: Flashback: Finch celebrates a World Cup ton against England at the MCG in 2015 // Getty

Finch endured a horror run with the bat earlier this year that led some to question his place in the ODI team, but has since bounced back with a supreme run of form.

He's now passed fifty in nine of his past 12 ODI innings, a stretch that includes four tons, and is averaging close to 100 during that period.

His latest century came after he and Warner laid yet another strong platform for the Australian middle-order, putting on 123 for the first wicket.

Image Id: CE3A3F9A44B24DDB82A13756DDFC9E21 Image Caption: Warner and Finch put on 123 in 22.4 overs // Getty

It was their third century stand of the World Cup, with their average partnership of 91.71 at the tournament making it the second most successful opening union in the competition's history. Sri Lanka duo Upul Tharanga and Tillakaratne Dilshan hold the record after averaging an even 100 in nine innings in 2011.

They also became just the first opening duo to record five fifty-plus opening stands on the trot at a World Cup.

After watching his counterpart Eoin Morgan win the toss and bowl, Finch was fortunate to survive a testing initial spells from England's opening bowlers Archer and Chris Woakes.

His outside edge on the second ball of the morning flew just out of reach off second slip, James Vince then failed to hang on to a difficult diving chance at backward point, before Finch survived a close lbw review off a Woakes delivery that nipped back up the slope.

Image Id: 82AA5397885340AFB78CF95C5BF53D70 Image Caption: Finch saw off England's early seam movement // Getty

Having survived the two new balls, the 32-year-old upped his aggression gradually as he and Warner took aim at change bowler Mark Wood, while Finch's eyes lit up upon the introduction of Moeen Ali.

He smeared the off-spinner for a pair of sixes after notching a 61-ball half-century, with 42 runs coming off Moeen's first six overs.

After losing Warner for 53 and then his replacement Usman Khawaja following a 50-run stand, Finch pushed on to reach the milestone – before departing immediately after - as Australia eyed a 330-plus total.

2019 World Cup

Australia's squad: Aaron Finch (c), Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey (wk), Nathan Coulter-Nile, Pat Cummins, Usman Khawaja, Nathan Lyon, Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Marcus Stoinis, David Warner, Adam Zampa

June 1: Australia beat Afghanistan by seven wickets

June 6: Australia beat West Indies by 15 runs

June 9: Australia lost to India by 36 runs

June 12: Australia beat Pakistan by 41 runs

June 15: Australia beat Sri Lanka by 87 runs

June 20: Australia beat Bangladesh by 48 runs

June 25: Australia beat England by 64 runs

June 29: New Zealand v Australia, Lord's (D/N)

July 6: Australia v South Africa, Old Trafford (D/N)

July 9: Semi-Final 1, Old Trafford

July 11: Semi-Final 2, Edgbaston

July 14: Final, Lord's

Sync Australia's World Cup schedule to your calendar HERE

For a full list of all World Cup fixtures, click HERE