England v Australia 1st ODI Review: Wade, bowlers hand Australia convincing win

England v Australia 1st ODI Review: Wade, bowlers hand Australia convincing win: Matthew Wade’s enterprising 71 run knock and disciplined performance by the bowlers helped world champions Australia to a 59-run win over England in the 1^st ODI at Southampton. With this facile win the visitors take a 1-0 lead in the 5 match series. Australia who had won the toss were 193-6 in the 37^th over and in some amount of trouble. But wicket-keeper batsman Wade and all rounder Mitchell Marsh shared an unbroken stand of 112 runs in 13 overs to take them to the match winnig total of 305-6.

Left-hander Wade, who took nine balls to score his first run, faced 50 deliveries in total hitting 12 fours. After being involved in the run out of senior all rounder Shane Watson, Wade more than made up for that. England looked to take the game deep but regular wickets hurt them and the hosts eventually capitulated for 246 runs with 27 balls left in the innings.

Earlier in the day after Australia captain Steve Smith opted to bat on what looked a good batting surface at The Ageas Bowl, Warner and Joe Burns made a solid start. Burns was looking in fine touch but was dismissed by Adil Rashid on 44, thus breaking the 76-run opening stand. Rashid struck once again, this time to remove the in-form Warner on 59. Steve Smith was looking in fine touch but hit a Rashid full-toss to Ben Stokes at mid-wicket and was out for 44.

The Yorkshire leg spinner was on fire when he had Bailey dismissed with a quicker one that skidded on. When Watson, responding to a poor call by Wade and was caught short of his crease, Australia were 193 for 6. But from there Wade and Marsh added 93 runs in the last 10 overs, with their stand a seventh-wicket record for Australia against England in ODIs. Adil Rashid was outstanding while the pacers failed to stop the Aussie run flow in the last overs.

In the chase, Jason Roy and Alex Hales, put on 70 for England’s first wicket. After Hales departed, Roy combined with James Taylor to form another solid stand. Roy was batting very aggressively but gifted his wicket away in search of quick runs. Maxwell’s introduction changed the course of the game, slowing the pace of play down as Australia applied the pressure with astute field settings and controlled bowling.

Taylor made a near run-a-ball 49 before falling to Watson. With the match in the balance Smith recalled his premier fast bowler Strac and he delivered, removing the dangerous Ben Stokes. England then lost three wickets for no run in four balls including skipper Morgan who until then batted well for his 38. Coulter-Nile dismissed Buttler and Woakes on successive deliveries to peg back England. Though the lower order tried its best but only in vain as the asking rate kept climbing up.

The world champions have taken a 1-0 lead in the series. England looked very good in their reply, but Australia put them under pressure and got the wickets when needed. Credit has to go to the Australian bowlers for keeping their composure when the openers came out all guns blazing. Shane Watson picking up the key scalps of James Taylor and Morgan, turned the game in Australia’s favour. Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Coulter-Nile also ended up with two wickets each. Both teams now head to Lord’s for the second ODI on Saturday.

Brief Scores:

Australia 305-6, Wade 71, Warner 59, Adil Rashid 4-59

England 246/10 Jason Roy 67, Taylor 49, Coulter-Nile 2-39

Australia won by 59 runs and lead the series 1-0

Man of the Match – Matthew Wade