AUSTRALIA VS ENGLAND ODIs – RECORDS, DRAMA, AN AUSSIE VICTORY
It’s not an Australia v England series if you don’t use the phrase ‘it’s going right down to the wire, son’. Australia dominated the first two, lost way in the next two, to finally bring it home in the decider and win the series 3-2. Here’s how it played out:
ODI #1, ENGvAUS, Nottingham | AUS won by 7 wickets
A Travis Head century that rescued Australia. It’s a tale as old as time and one we never tire of reading. England put up 315 in their 50 overs on the back of Ben Duckett’s 95. The English opener would be ruing his missed ton as he fell to the guile of Legbreaker Labuschagne. That’s right, Marnus picked up 3 on the day, along with Zampa and Head reminded everyone why the best time to dismiss him is in his 20s. Allow him to settle and you may as well head home then. 154 off 129, teaming up with Labuschagne the batter who scored 77, and Australia were home with 6 overs to spare.
ODI #2, ENGvAUS, Leeds | AUS won by 68 runs
Hazlewood and Starc were back into the side after an illness, Alex Carey batted deep and stoic, and Australia dominated the second ODI. Put in to bat by Harry Brook, Australia never looked comfortable as the wickets kept tumbling at both ends. Nine down in the 37th over, Carey and Hazlewood stitched a 49-run partnership that proved to be the difference after all with Carey finishing on 74. England were never really in the chase. Starc announced his return with a scorching yorker to dismiss the in-form Brook and Hardie joined in with two wickets in two deliveries.
ODI #3, ENGvAUS, Chester-le-Street | ENG won by 46 runs (DLS method)
A maiden ODI hundred for Harry Brook, England’s first win in ODIs since December, and England are back in the reckoning in the series! Australia put up 304, with Smith, Green, and Carey leading the way. England lost their first two wickets very cheaply and what could’ve set up a series win for Australia, soon turned out to be England’s comeback song, with a welcome assist by the rains.
ODI #4, ENGvAUS, Lord’s | ENG won by 186 runs
The Rain Gods came to play once again with the game reduced to 39 overs and England batting first. Harry Brook’s taken quite a liking to the Aussie bowlers as after his maiden ODI hundred, he followed it up with a 37-ball fifty en route his 87. Ben Duckett played second fiddle with 63 but it was Liam Livingstone’s 62* off 27, including four sixes in Starc’s final over that truly brought the thunder. Australia gave the chase of 313 a promising start but once openers Marsh and Head fell away, the cookie crumbled swiftly.
ODI #5, ENGvAUS, Bristol | ENG won by 49 runs (DLS Method)
“Not today!”, said the Aussies to the rain and the English. England once again put up a 300+ score on the back of a Duckett century and Brooks supporting act. But the Australia knew that with rain looming large on the horizon, some smart, no-holds-barred batting display would keep them in good stead when the DLS would come into play. Travis Head followed up a brilliant 4-fer with a quick fire 31 (26) before Steve Smith ensured Australia were well above par and had the game and series secured.
Credit: Gurnam & Namrta
