England v Australia 2nd ODI: 5 Talking Points

England v Australia 2nd ODI: 5 Talking Points: It was the second ODI between Australia and England at Lord’s with the Aussies leading the series 1-0 after the win in Southampton. The World Champion amassed a total of 309-7 which was always going to be difficult for the young and inexperienced Pommies against the quality bowling attack.

In the end, the home side fell short by 64 runs chasing the mammoth total to go 2-0 behind the series.

Let’s have a look at the England v Australia 2nd ODI: 5 Talking Points:

1. Steve Smith continued his other worldly form:

The king of red ball Cricket continued his brilliant form in the white ball Cricket; top scoring for the World Champion side with 70 runs.

After losing Warner to a thumb injury early on (the new Vice-Captain was hit by a Steven Finn’s perfectly directed bouncer), Steve Smith arrived to the crease. His struggles against seaming balls are well known now and this wicket offered more than enough for the fast bowlers to keep them interested in the “cloudy English conditions”.

The Australian Captain had some other plans tonight though, as the classy batsman showed off his wristy shots and unusual footwork early on to steady the ship with Joe Burns and then formed a crucial 99-run stand with George Bailey for the fourth wicket to take the game forward. Fair to say, he was the catalyst of this Australian win.

2. Mitchell Marsh is here to stay:

The Australian, tipped to replace Shane Watson eventually, as the main all-rounder in the Australian squad, certainly had his quality at full display here.

His 63 runs 5^th wicket stand with Shane Watson came off just 43 balls and took the game further away from the Pommies. The all-rounder reached his half century of just 26 balls, hitting 7 boundaries and clearing the rope thrice in his short and entertaining knock.

Even his bowling has been up to the mark as of late with Marsh picking up an important wicket of James Taylor to break the dangerous looking third wicket partnership. Craig McDermott has surely done wonders with him.

3. Glenn Maxwell poised to play the role of the lead spinner?:

Glenn Maxwell is probably one of the hardest hitter in the World Cricket today. His 49 runs knock of just 38 balls showcased his skill as a hard hitting batsman. The knock also included 3 sixes and 4 boundaries. Moeen Ali was, unfortunately, at the receiving end in the 39^th over when he went for 19 runs against Maxi.

But, given the fact that, Glenn Maxwell has also been playing as a lone spinner in this Australian ODI side, it paves the question that; is Glenn Maxwell poised to play the central role of the lead spinner of this side? His bowling stats which included 2 wickets for just 44 runs in his full quota of 10 runs certainly does him no wrong there.

It will be interesting to see how this side shapes up in sub-continental condition where there will be plenty of spin to offer!

4. England again fall apart after a solid start:

It was the case last game and the history repeated itself again!

Eoin Morgan, in the post match presentation last time, pointed out that if the team had to compete with the best they have to make good use of a solid start. They failed last time, they failed again.

With a score of 68-1 at the end of 11^th over, the home side needed Jason Roy to carry on alongside James Taylor. The English opener fell cheaply yet again after a solid start and once James Taylor was dismissed in the 22^nd over by Mitchell Marsh, it was already Curtain Fall for the Pommies!

5. Eoin Morgan continued from where he left off:

Eoin Morgan showed us why he is such an improved player since the New Zealand series a couple of months back. The Ireland born English Captain had a brilliant series against the Black Caps and also scored a smooth 38 in the first ODI at Southampton.

His knock of 85 runs tonight was full of brilliant shots and classy strokeplay, scoring 4 boundaries and sixes in the process. Maybe, if someone had decided to stick around with the Captain, the result could have been different. But, as of now, Morgan seems to be the only in-form batsman among the English!