Eoin Morgan-led England managed to get the better of the tourists in the second ODI at Old Trafford in Manchester and take the series for the finale at the same venue.
After winning the toss and opting to bat first, England managed to post 231 runs on board; which at one point in the innings seemed far from possible, considering the top and middle-order collapse that they encountered.
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Opener Jonny Bairstow was dismissed for a duck, while Jason Roy (22) who seemed to be finding his hitting form, was run-out at the other end.
Joe Root (39) and Eoin Morgan (42) stitched a partnership in the middle, but, the former’s departure sent the team in an alarming state. In the middle-order, Jos Buttler (3) and Sam Billings (8) couldn’t contribute much to the team tally.
The chances of scoring past 200 runs looked glim for England, however, the trio of Chris Woakes (26), Tom Curran (37), and Adil Rashid (35*) established a strong hold in the game and helped the hosts post a competitive total on board.
Adam Zampa, who picked four wickets in the last ODI, was one of the most effective bowlers for Finch & Co as he grabbed 3/36 in his ten overs. Pacers Josh Hazlewood (1/27) and Mitchell Starc (2/28) garnered economical figures to stop England’s run-flow.
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In the second innings, Australia got off to a shaky start as opener David Warner (6) fell prey to Jofra Archer’s delivery, which was followed by the dismissal of Marcus Stonis (9), who was once again sent at the No 3 spot owing to his last match’s performance.
Aaron Finch and Marnus Labuschagne then formed a gritty partnership of 107 runs before Chris Woakes plumbed the latter that resulted in the entire middle-order collapse.
Mitchell Marsh and Glenn Maxwell were dismissed cheaply leaving the scoring part to wicket-keeper Alex Carey who contributed 19 runs with Pat Cummins, and 31 runs with Josh Hazlewood in what was the second-highest partnership in the Australian innings.
The chase came to an end when Carey was stumped; resulting in England’s 24-run triumph and a 1-1 level in the ongoing 3-match series.
Jofra Archer was awarded the Man of the Match for his rip-roaring figures of 10-2-34-3. Chris Woakes and Sam Curran bagged three wickets that tore through the Australian top and middle-order respectively.
The third and decisive ODI will be played on September 16 at Old Trafford in Manchester.
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 managed to get the better of Australia (AUS) in the 2nd ODI at Old Trafford in Manchester to level the series 1-1.){kind=link}