ICC World Cup 2019: Warm-up Match 3, England vs Australia, Review – Steve Smith's ton propels the five-time champions to a win

Just the way one expects the game between these arch-rivals to pan out, Australia and England were involved in a humdinger of a tussle in their first warm-up match of World Cup 2019. Despite it being a practice game, there was a good turn up in the stands and they had a lot to take back as the Aussies clinched the game in the final over.

Australia got off to a fine start with in-form David Warner hammering home some boundaries despite losing Aaron Finch early after a brief blitz. Warner and Shaun Marsh got a good partnership going in this period and added 64 runs for the second wicket. Once Warner was dismissed for 43, Steve Smith took charge and showcased his class.

There are very few players as good as the Aussie stalwart when in good nick. After Marsh’s dismissal, he got a good partnership going with Usman Khawaja and despite getting some harsh reception from the English fans, he kept his cool and completed a half-century. Khawaja and Smith added 78 runs for the fourth wicket.

Marcus Stoinis didn’t stick around for long, but young Alex Carey vindicated his selection with a blazing cameo. He came in and whacked a few boundaries en route to a 14-ball 30, which eased Smith’s nerves at the other end. Right after Carey’s dismissal, Smith completed a sensational hundred and announced his comeback in style.

He was dismissed for a 102-ball 116 with one delivery remaining in the innings. Australia finished with 297 runs on the board for the loss of 9 wickets. Liam Plunkett turned up with a 4-fer for England and was their best bowler on the day.

Buttler and Vince shine for the Three Lions

England openers were put under a major test with Kane Richardson and Jason Behrendorff bowling beautifully with the new ball. Bairstow got some boundaries, but went for a little too much and threw his wicket away. In walked James Vince, the backup opener, who made a serious case for himself with a brilliant knock under pressure.

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Jason Roy got dismissed in a bid to up the scoring rate, but Vince stitched a couple of brilliant partnerships. After adding 35 runs with Ben Stokes, where the all-rounder did most of the scoring, he played a fantastic second-fiddle as Jos Buttler hammered the Aussie bowlers.

Buttler was in a “no-mercy” mood and began collecting boundaries right from the outset. He clobbered 3 sixes and five fours en route to a fantastic 31-ball 52 and during their partnership, Vince completed his 3rd ODI fifty as well. They looked all set for a win but Australia fought back with some quick wickets.

Chris Woakes and Liam Plunkett fought hard till the end, but Richardson and Marcus Stoinis handled the death overs almost perfectly. Their brilliance towards the end ensured the English fell 12 short of their target. All the seven bowlers returned home wicket a wicket at least for the men in yellow.

Brief Scores

Australia: 297/9 in 50 overs (Steven Smith 116, David Warner 43; Liam Plunkett 4/69)

England: 285 all out in 49.3 overs (James Vince 64, Jos Buttler 52; Jason Behrendorff 2/43)

Result: Australia won by 12 runs