2024-10-02 05:27:33
The five-match ODI series between England and Australia was tied at 2-2. All eyes were on who would win the final match in Bristol. Australia advanced by winning the opening two matches. After saving the series in the third match, England won the fourth match as well. But the world champion Australia had the last laugh.
Australia won the rain-hit match in Bristol by 49 runs. Batting first, England were bundled out for 309 runs. In reply, Australia scored 165 for 2 in 20.4 overs. Then the match did not go ahead due to rain. Australia was leading by 49 runs by the Duckworth-Lewis method. They won the match in that interval.
Travis Head is the hero of this Australia win and the series. The offspinner took 4 wickets for 28 runs with the ball first. After that he went down to bat and scored 31 runs off 26 balls. He is the best in the series with 248 runs and 6 wickets.
England opener Ben Duckett’s second ODI century faded in Australia’s win. Scored 107 runs off 91 balls with 13 fours and 2 sixes. Besides, captain Harry Brook scored 72 runs off 52 balls. The English captain hit 7 sixes with 3 fours.
England at one point were 202 for 2. They lost 5 wickets to get 48 runs from there. The main reason for this collapse of batting is the spin vortex of the head. It was doubtful whether there would be three hundred from there. Fortunately, Adil Rashid took the responsibility on his shoulders. He scored 36 runs off 35 balls.
Head bowled as the eighth bowler for Australia. He took a career best 4 wickets for 28 runs in 6.2 overs. Besides, Aaron Hardy, Adam Zampa and Glenn Maxwell got 2 wickets each.
England’s bowlers were confused by the rampage of the two Australian openers to respond. Their runs are 78 for 1 in 7.1 overs. 103 runs came in the power play. After gaining ground, the Aussies continued to attack.
Matthew Short may have batted aggressively keeping in mind the rain. Scored 58 runs off 30 balls with 7 fours and 4 sixes. Besides, Steven Smith scored 36 off 48 balls and Josh English scored 28 off 20 balls. Australia won the match with more runs than required by the rain rule.
Aussies could not celebrate on the field due to rain. They celebrated in a makeshift press conference room in Bristol.