AUS vs ENG, 2nd ODI, Review: Team effort leads England to a comprehensive victory

England have beaten Australia by 4 wickets comprehensively in the second ODI of the five-match series at the iconic Gabba in Brisbane. The hosts succumbed to yet another loss in front of their home crowd as yet another heroic ton from Aaron Finch went in vain. The limited overs outfit of the visitors continue to surprise their arch-rivals. It was a complete performance from them once again as they outplayed Australia in every department. However, Steve Smith-led side now face an unlikely prospect of losing a series at home and would look to come back now.

Steve Smith won the toss and opted to bat first in quest to level the series after losing the first game. Tim Paine failed to recover from the illness which prompted an ODI debut for Alex Carey who has ruled the ongoing Big Bash League this year. Also, Jhye Richardson earned his cap following the exclusion of Josh Hazlewood. They also dropped Adam Zampa and included Cameron White in the XI. England, boosted by the victory in the opening game, fielded an unchanged line-up.

The opening duo of David Warner and Aaron Finch started off in breezy fashion but the former once again failed to convert his knock into a big one. He was scalped my Moeen Ali in the 12th over. But the home team was struck with two severe blows in the middle overs when Joe Root snaffled key wickets of Smith and Travis Head.  While the former made 18, Head’s poor run continued and he could only accumulate 7 runs. Amidst all the happenings at the other end, Finch was batting with immense concentration.

He stitched a crucial partnership of 85 runs with Mitchell Marsh and also notched up his 10th century in the process. His second consecutive 100+ knock was studded with 9 fours and a solitary powerful hit in the crowd. Just when it felt like the Aussies would post yet another total of over 300, Adil Rashid picked a couple of quick wickets. He spun the web around Marsh and Marcus Stoinis before which Liam Plunkett sent back the set Finch on 106. Suddenly Australia were reduced to 216/6 from 209/3.

Though it was a decent stand between the comeback man Cameron White and the debutant Alex Carey which propelled them to a fighting total of 270 after 50 overs. Apart from Rashid, all other bowlers were economical and also picked at least a wicket. Mark Wood was the only bowler to go wicketless and had an off day with the ball.

Team effort from England in chase

Despite losing the hero of the last match Jason Roy in the first over, England got off to a wonderful start courtesy Alex Hales. He added 117 runs for the second along with Jonny Bairstow almost at run a ball and set a platform for the middle order to win the game. The hosts though made a comeback with twin strikes as both the set batsmen were sent back by Richardson. Both Bairstow and Hales scored wonderful half-centuries and failed to convert their knocks. But Joe Root stayed calm and went through his business quietly.

Mitchell Starc came back to castle Eoin Morgan but Jos Buttler counter-attacked to end the hopes of Australia. He was busy after coming out to the middle from the word go and smashed 42 off just 32 deliveries only to be scalped by Starc who also bowled a searing yorker to stretch Moeen Ali’s poor run on the tour. However, that was the last wicket to fall as Chris Woakes scored almost all the remaining with utter ease. He never looked in trouble as Root backed him to do the job.

Some of his strokes were absolutely pleasing to the eyes as he remained not out on 39 off just 27 deliveries with 5 fours and a six. Root was the steadying ship in the chase who scored 46* off 58 balls with only a solitary boundary. Starc was the best bowler as usual for Australia with four wickets and tried his best to win the game for his team. The debutant Richardson also bowled with fiery pace and picked the other two wickets. However, the decision to leave out Zampa on a slow wicket came back to haunt the hosts.

England now lead the five-match series by 2-0 and Australia has to respond strongly in the third game as it is the must-win encounter for them.

Brief Scores

Australia 270/9 after 50 overs (A Finch 106; J Root 2/31, A Rashid 2/71)

England 274/6 after 44.2 overs (J Bairstow 60, A Hales 57; M Starc 4/59, J Richardson 2/57)

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