England levels ODI series against rivals Australia 2-2, win by 186 runs
Harry Brook, Liam Livingstone, and England bowlers all contributed significantly to the Three Lions’ stunning comeback to tie the five-match ODI series against Australia at 2-2. On Friday, September 27, England won the fourth game at Lord’s Cricket Ground by 186 runs. This victory has set up the fifth and final match of the series, which will be played on Sunday at Bristol’s County Ground.
In a match trimmed to 39 overs each side due to inclement weather, England scored 312-5 thanks to 87 from stand-in skipper Harry Brook and an unbeaten 62 from Liam Livingstone, who blasted 28 runs off Mitchell Starc’s final over. Australia was bowled out for 126 in 24.4 overs, losing 10 wickets for 58 runs after leading 68-0 early in the chase.
After returning from sickness, spinner Adam Zampa was similarly costly but at least managed to take two wickets in his eight overs, finishing with scores of 0-70.
On a track that was becoming increasingly sticky, England’s bowlers were far more threatening, particularly Jofra Archer, who was hitting balls at a pace of up to 150 km/h in his first one-day international at the home of cricket since the 2019 World Cup final.
Australia, having set a record of 400 in a regular one-day international, stormed to 68-0 but collapsed to 96-6 as Brydon Carse and Archer applied more pressure, taking five of the first six wickets. Carse scored 3-36, Archer recorded 2-33, and Matthew Potts, another pacer, ended with 4-38.
Australia’s cricket squad, the world champion in the 50-over format, is rarely defeated like this. After winning 14 consecutive games, the visitors have now lost two in a row. The most runs ever given up by an Australian bowler in an ODI single over was achieved by Livingstone when he hammered Mitchell Starc for 28 in one over. Australia was cleared for just 126 in retaliation. Matthew Potts of England claimed four wickets.
England maintains their current winning streak at Lord’s and is one win away from completing a near-perfect summer. With series victories over the West Indies and Sri Lanka, and only three losses to Australia in six white-ball games, the hosts will be eager to have the final say on who is in charge on Sunday, September 29, 2024, when the fifth and final ODI, as well as the final game of England’s summer of 2024, will be played. The hosts will be keen to have the last say on who is in charge after series wins over the West Indies and Sri Lanka and only three losses to Australia in six white-ball games.
Harry Brook, England captain: “We’ve taken all positives from the first two games and brought them to the last two. Duckett, we know how good he is. He cuts and pulls lengths that many others couldn’t. Livi showed what he is capable of at the back end. We identified times where we could put more pressure – getting early boundaries in the over for example. It’s about picking and choosing your moments and then executing. Bowlers did beautifully on an interesting wicket. We got a few too many but bowlers smashed a length beautifully and got the rewards. Archer was bowling quick with swing and seam movement. Hope to see more. It’s always nice to be scoring runs, it helps think clearly.”
Mitchell Marsh, Australia captain: “We were off. Fair play to England. We couldn’t get early wickets, were thoroughly outplayed. Their total was over par. Liam was brilliant. Needed to get a couple of stands but we lost a couple of wickets and… that’s cricket. Bristol will be a great experience, excited for the opportunity.”
Shah Safeer: “So many players have contributed to this England win, a sign that should make everyone who supports England cricket proud. Their future seems to be in safe hands, Brook should be PotM being the architect with bat as well as with his genius decision making execution on the field”
