ENG vs AUS: 1st ODI – Billings ton in vain as Australia secure victory
Sam Billings’ sterling maiden ODI ton ended up in a losing cause as Australia held their nerves to secure a 19-run victory in the opening match at the Old Trafford, Manchester. Australian pace attack shone with its accuracy and penetration as they kept the explosive English batting unit under the leash. Josh Hazlewood was named the Player of the Match for his outstanding spell of 3/26 in 10 overs while delivering three maidens.
England take an early lead
Bowling first, the home side enjoyed a wonderful start as Jofra Archer continued to torment David Warner. Archer has now dismissed the opener in three consecutive innings. Australia missed Steve Smith in this game due to a head injury which forced the team to send Marcus Stoinis at number three. Captain Aaron Finch fell next as Mark Wood dismissed him on the first ball he bowled. While the middle order continuously tried to build solid stands, English bowlers kept taking regular wickets. The leg-spinner Adil Rashid tormented the visitors as they slipped to 123/5 in 23.4 overs.
Oh, Jof ?
Scorecard & Clips: https://t.co/FTTwAkwEXU#ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/i733oSWOrQ
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 11, 2020
Marsh and Maxwell take Australia to safety
Coming out to bat at number seven, Glenn Maxwell provided great depth to the Australian batting order. He and all- rounder Mitchell Marsh avoided further damage and instead attacked the English bowling to take Australia towards a formidable total. The duo added 126 runs in less than 20 overs to take Australia near 300. Both Marsh and Maxwell fell in the 70s but Australian tail added crucial runs to take the final total to 294/9. Archer and Wood claimed three wickets each while Rashid snapped two wickets.
Aussies push England on the back foot
Australia’s opening bowlers Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood provided the perfect start in defence of the tall total. Hazlewood sent back Jason Roy and Joe Root within the first eight overs and England had not even added 15 runs by that stage. Captain Eoin Morgan and in-form Jos Buttler tried to take the chase further but they lost their wickets to Adam Zampa. Opener Jonny Bairstow played a fiery knock of 84 at the top to keep England’s hopes alive. He struck 4 fours and 4 sixes in 107 balls.
Billings gives it his all
Simply lovely from @sambillings ?
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/roZiHg1nNH#ENGvAUS pic.twitter.com/5p5cHDSKcu
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 11, 2020
When England lost Bairstow, they were still 125 runs away from the target with half of their side back in the hut. Billings continued to fight from one end but none of the partners managed to resist for long. In the process, Billings notched up his maiden ODI ton. His valiant fight ended in vain as England fell well short of the target.
These two teams will meet each other again on 13th September (Sunday) to play the second ODI of the three-match series.
