Australia vs England, 3rd ODI - 5 Talking Points

After a disappointing run in the Ashes, England stormed with a couple of comprehensive victories against Australia in the ODI series. Going into the third game, while England looked to seal the deal with a series victory, Australia fought to keep their hopes alive in the series.

However, it was Eoin Morgan’s men who clinched the game by a margin of 16 runs and subsequently took an unassailable lead 3-0 in the series. England racked up 302 runs following which Australia could only muster 286. In our article, we take a look at five intriguing moments from the game.

#1 Jos Buttler’s stupendous ton

Buttler has emerged as one of the cleanest hitters of the cricket ball. He played a quick-fire hand of 42 runs off 32 balls at the Gabba in Brisbane and carried forward the form in the third game at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

He notched his fifth century in One-Day Internationals with a score of 100 runs in 83 balls. During the course of his batting masterclass, he hit six boundaries and four massive hits into the stands. He came in after Joe Root’s dismissal in the 23rd over and took the Aussie bowlers by the scruff of the neck.

Meanwhile, the Taunton-born cricketer also became highest six-hitter from overs 46-50 in ODIs since 2013.

#2 Chris Wokaes late surge

Chris Woakes is distinguished more as a bowler than for his skills with the ball. However, his repertoire with the willow can’t be ruled out by any stretch of the imagination. He has a batting average of 26.45 in ODIs, which is impressive for a lower-order batsman.

The all-rounder brought forth his resourceful skills at the SCG against the might of the Aussies. He scored his third half-century en route a 113-run partnership with Jos Buttler. The Warwickshire cricketer spanked his way to 53 runs off 36 balls, which injected impetus into the English innings.

He was clinical in his approach and hit five boundaries and a couple of sixes. The partnership was racked up at a rate of nearly 10 runs per over and took England beyond the psychological barrier of the 300-run mark.

#3 Aussie bowlers underperform yet-again

The Australian bowling attack struggled from the first match and again faltered perilously in the third ODI in Sydney. The English batsmen had no problems whatsoever against the likes of Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood as most of the Aussies leaked runs at an alarming rate.

Pat Cummins got rid of Jason Roy to start proceedings for Australia but conceded runs during the later stages of England’s innings. Hazlewood got the wickets of Joe Root and Eoin Morgan, but he also couldn’t put a lid on the run feast by the English batsmen, especially Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes.

Starc also had an off-day as he returned wicket-less. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa also wasn’t spared by England and gave way 55 runs in his 10 overs. They also conceded 14 extras (13 wides and one no-ball) which added to their agony.

#4 Finch’s stupendous run continues

Aaron Finch has been in prime form with the bat in the ongoing ODI series against England. He notched up a brilliant ton at the Melbourne Cricket Ground followed by another century at the Gabba. He missed out on a ton at SCG but ensured that Australia start their run-chase on a healthy note.

The right-hander scored a well compiled 62 off 53 balls, which included three boundaries and as many sixes. He also stitched a healthy third-wicket stand worth 69 runs off 70 balls and laid the platform for the other batsmen to trace down England’s mammoth score.

The Aussie opener was eventually dismissed by Adil Rashid in the 21st over. He was trapped in front of the stumps after which he reviewed the decision. However, replays showed that there wasn’t an inside edge and also was clipping the leg-stump.

#5 England survive Stoinis-scare

Marcus Stoinis has emerged as a handy all-rounder for Australia. Along with his variations in pace, Stoinis can also hit the ball a fair distance. However, at the Sydney Cricket Ground, he also showed nerves of steel and played a calm-headed, yet blistering knock of 56 off 43 balls.

Stoinis came in at the fall of Finch’s wicket and held Australia’s innings together. He gave England an almighty scare by finding the boundaries at regular intervals. Meanwhile, he was picking up singles to keep the scoreboard moving.

Australia required 30 runs off the final two overs and had every chance of overhauling England’s target. However, Mark Wood and Chris Woakes held their nerves and steered them past the finishing line.