England showcased an impeccable all-round performance to level the five-match ODI series against Australia at Lord’s with a resounding victory, marking a tremendous comeback after losing the first two games. Under the astute leadership of Captain Harry Brook, who blazed his way to a rapid 87 off just 58 balls following his maiden ODI century, the team amassed a commanding total. Liam Livingstone further demoralized the Australians with a blistering 25-ball half-century, helping England post a daunting 312 runs in a game shortened to 39 overs-per-side due to sporadic rainfall in London.
The formidable total of 312 proved insurmountable on the challenging Lord’s pitch, where the storied venue’s unique dimensions and slope played into the hands of the English pace attack. Australia’s quest to chase down the target unraveled early on, as the English bowlers took full advantage of the conditions under the floodlights. The home team’s pace trio was ruthless, with Matt Potts spearheading the attack. Potts claimed four wickets, while Jofra Archer, in scintillating form, delivered a spellbinding performance. The pacers collectively dismantled the Australian batting lineup, resulting in the visitors’ fourth-largest defeat by runs in ODI history.
Travis Head gave Australia a glimmer of hope with an explosive start, displaying aggressive prowess at the crease. However, his innings was abruptly terminated when Brydon Carse deceived him with a shorter delivery on the leg stump. The very next over witnessed Potts dislodging Steve Smith, sparking a collapse that Australia couldn’t recover from. Archer’s precision bowling produced a moment of magic as he clean-bowled Australian skipper Mitchell Marsh, who stood in disbelief at his dismissal. The relentless trio of Carse, Archer, and Potts formed an unassailable partnership, leading to Australia being bowled out for a meager 126.
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Harry Brook earned the Player of the Match accolade for his scintillating knock, which set the stage for England’s dominance. England’s innings began cautiously, with Phil Salt contributing a steady 22 before falling just after the powerplay. Ben Duckett then joined Brook, and the pair shifted gears, intensifying the assault on the Australian bowlers. Duckett continued his stellar form across all formats, launching a ferocious attack on the Australian bowling lineup, particularly targeting Sean Abbott.
The middle-over phase saw Brook and Jamie Smith dismantle Australia’s spin duo, Glenn Maxwell and Adam Zampa, forcing Marsh to rotate his bowlers in vain. Every strategy Marsh employed failed to contain the English batsmen. Once England seized control, they were relentless, with Australia left reeling. Liam Livingstone provided the final flourish, capitalizing on his ODI recall, which he earned through outstanding T20 performances. Livingstone treated Australian pacer Mitchell Starc with disdain, hammering 28 runs in one over, including four sixes and a boundary. Livingstone’s whirlwind 62 off just 27 balls pushed England to an imposing total and shattered any remaining hopes for an Australian comeback.
From being down 2-0 in the series, England’s resurgence to level the series at 2-2 sets the stage for a thrilling finale in Bristol. Australia, shell-shocked by the sudden turnaround, now face an uphill battle to reclaim their momentum and clinch the series. Meanwhile, England will ride a wave of confidence into the decider, with their spirits high and a reinvigorated approach bolstered by recent performances.
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