Australia blow chance to seal ODI series after batting collapse

The series will now go to a decider!

Published by
Jake Benoiton

Australia blew a golden chance overnight to seal their ODI series against England.

Australia seemed to have the game in control, bowling first they managed to restrict England to just 231.

That total could've been much less though if not for crucial cameos from Adil Rashid and Tom Curran. The duo put on a 76 run stand at the death, including 56 in the last four overs.

However Australia still seemed headed for victory until they suffered a collapse which included losing 4-3 off just 21 balls.

An inspired spell of bowling from Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer turned the game in the favour of England, setting up a series decider back at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

With Woakes and Archer having been bowled out, Sam Curran picked up three wickets to ice the game for England.

Pat Cummins (11) and Mitchell Starc (0) fell in successive deliveries to Curran, and then Adam Zampa popped up a catch to fall for two off 19 balls.

Alex Carey looked to farm the strike, but was stumped when deceived by Adil Rashid to be last man out for 36 off 41.

That helped balloon their total from what looked precarious at 8-149 to defendable at 9-231.

Australia had started poorly with the bat as Archer was key with the new ball, removing David Warner for six off a ball slanted across the left-hander. In four innings on this tour, Warner has now been dismissed by Archer every time.

Archer was also the only bowler other than Stuart Broad to dismiss him during last winter's Ashes series.

With Finch and Labuschagne seemingly controlling the match, Morgan turned to Archer and Woakes again. The breakthrough didn't come immediately, but when Woakes trapped Labuschagne on the pad for 48 the collapse began.

It opened the floodgates. Marsh, the form player on the tour, fell for just one.

Finch was then bowled by Woakes for 73 by a delivery that just nipped off the seam, and Maxwell (1) followed in the next over in identical fashion.

All eyes now turn to Wednesday nights series decider.

Published by
Jake Benoiton