England v Australia Only T20I review: Smith’s blinder in vain as Australia fall short

England v Australia Only T20I review: Smith’s blinder in vain as Australia fall short: When Australia took on England in the only T20I at Cardiff on Monday, both teams were already over with their review of the Ashes and ready to focus on white ball cricket and change the trend of the one sided games witnessed in the 5 Tests. And that is exactly what transpired as England held their nerves to win against Australia by 5 runs at Cardiff. Australia were once well on their course to victory but the English pacers did exceptionally well to close out the game after Smith and Maxwell had put the visitors in a strong position.

Earlier in the day Australia captain Steven Smith won the toss and decided to bowl first. It was a sedate start for England as the Australian bowlers kept things tight, not giving Jason Roy or Alex Hales any room to play their strokes freely. The pressure yielded in a couple of wickets as Hales and Roy fell in quick succession, both getting out to Pat Cummins in the fourth over.

Eoin Morgan and Moeen Ali too were kept quiet by the Australian pacers initially. Ali then took a liking to debutant Stoinis in the ninth over, scoring a six and a four off consecutive deliveries to help England past the fifty-run mark. Morgan too got into the act in the 11th over, scoring a four and a maximum off Marsh to bring up the half-century stand.

Morgan took England into the 90s with a six off Shane Watson in the 13th over while the 100 came up in the following over when Moeen went over Cameron Boyce’s head for a six and followed it up with four to bring up a fine half-century. Morgan also brought up his half century soon and was looking ominous for the Aussies. Morgan’s innings finally came to an end when he departed on 74 off only 39 deliveries, ending a stand worth 135 runs.

Jos Buttler took the attack to Starc in the 18th over, scoring a six and a four off consecutive deliveries. However, he had to depart in the same over, handing Cummins a catch at mid-on. England ended up with a total of 182/5 with Moeen finishing with an unbeaten 72. Pat Cummins was the pick of the Aussie bowlers with figures of 2-25.Though Australia had a good finish conceding just 30 runs from the last 4 overs England had managed a total that was easily above par for the Cardiff surface.

The chase didn’t begin too well for the visitors as David Warner ended up getting a leading edge and Steven Finn held on to the ball to send back the left-handed opener for four. In the second over, Shane Watson, who managed a couple of fours off Finn, was out bowled when he failed to kick the ball away from the stumps when he defended with soft hands. Australia were 12/2 after two overs.

Smith was joined by Maxwell and together the duo steadied the innings. Maxwell scored a flurry of boundaries to get Australia going and Steven Smith supported him well as they scored at a good rate. Australia were 45/2 at the end of the powerplay. The partnership of Maxwell and Smith was flourishing nicely as they played the inexperienced English attack with ease. At the half-way stage, Australia were 86/2.

The pair added 112 runs for 3rd wicket and put Australia in command. However, the partnership came to an end when Ben Stokes took a splendid catch to send back Maxwell for 44. Things slowed down a touch after Maxwell’s dismissal, but Smith got Australia back on track again by scoring a six and a four off Willey in the 17th over, which took the visitors past the 150-mark. A misfield by Moeen Ali gave Mitchell Marsh four runs in the 18th over. However, Marsh had to depart in the same over, chopping one on to the stumps to give Topley his first international wicket.

Smith kept going at one end and registered his highest T20I score – 90, but he got out at the wrong time and Australia couldn’t recover since then. Stoinis scored a four in the same over but it was a fine over from Willey, who finished with figures of 2/34 to leave Australia needing 12 off the final over. Matthew Wade was run out after completing a single off the first ball of the final over, which was bowled by Stokes. Stoinis could only manage two off the final delivery as England won the only T20I by five runs

Also Read – England vs Australia One-off T20I: Statistical Review

It was not a great day for the bowlers as the wicket was a belter, but there were some decent performances for England. Debutant, Reece Topley was impressive and so was David Willey. However, Ben Stokes, who bowled the crucial final over was the pick of the bowlers as he went for only 29 in his four overs and picked up one wicket. Special credit has to be given to Eoin Morgan who marshalled his troops masterly under pressure. The sides will now compete in a 5 match ODI series starting September 3.

Brief Scores: England won by 5 runs

England 182/5 (20 ov); Morgan 74, Moeen Ali 72, Cummins 2-25

Australia 177/8 (20 ov); Smith 90, Maxwell 44, Willey 2-34

Man of the Match – Moeen Ali