Reading's Kate Richardson-Walsh was captain of the England side which also contained Sonning Lane clubmates Sam Quek, Susie Gilbert, Alex Danson and substitute Nicola White.

However, Australia - Gold medallists at the last two Commonwealth Games - lived up to their reputation as favourites in Glasgow as two Jodie Kenny strikes and one from Emily Smith decided the contest.

After beating Wales 2-0 in the other Pool B game this afternoon, host nation Scotland have set-up a thrilling contest against England on Wednesday morning (9am), with the winner of that game guaranteed a place in the semi finals.

For Australia, they are safely through to the last four securing the top place in Pool B with four wins from four, and an impressive goal record of 25 scored and none conceded.

Danny Kerry, England Head Coach, said: “I was actually really quite pleased with the performance. Australia were better than us defensively and offensively in both circles but I actually felt for large periods of the game we were playing the more constructive hockey.

“The reality is that we need to be much tougher in both circles and their corner execution was superior to ours today.”

England began brightly as birthday girl Susannah Townsend found Ellie Watton after a mazy run, but the latter's effort was well blocked by Australian keeper Rachael Lynch.

Two quick scores, however, had England on the back foot as first Kenny converted from a penalty corner on 17 minutes, before Smith capitalised on a mistake from Richardson-Walsh shortly afterwards.

Maddie Hinch in the England goal was forced into a couple of fine saves from Kenny before the break, while Lily Owsley fired a shot just wide after some superb skill.

A green card for Laura Unsworth proved costly 13 minutes into the second half as shortly after she left the field, Kenny slotted home from another short corner. England kept pressing and earned two penalty corners of their own but on both occasions they couldn’t find the target – Quek seeing an effort deflected behind. Georgie Twigg also made her return for England after missing their last game against Malaysia through the injury she sustained in the opening game.