Australia favourites in final ODI despite England comeback

Cricket bookmakers still have Australia as favourites to win the ongoing ODI series against England, despite the latter executing yet another impressive victory on Friday at Lord’s.

Bet365 is paying $1.80 for Australia to prevail in the fifth ODI on Sunday in Bristol, with the series currently sitting at 2-2 after England initially lost the first two matches.

The home side pegged one game back with a rain-affected chase in Chester-le-Street on Tuesday, before making a statement in the most recent encounter, winning by 186 runs to level the series.

Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone were the stars of the show this time, with England making a breathtaking 312/5 from just 39 overs in another rain-shortened clash.

Phil Salt and Ben Duckett initially got England off to a conservative start, moving through to 48/0 before Salt fell in the 10th over.

Will Jacks came and went, before Brook combined with Duckett for a handy 79-run partnership, taking the home side to 150/2 after 22.4 overs.

Brook stayed on and made 87 runs, but it was Livingstone who powered England past the 300-run mark, plundering 62 runs from just 27 balls at the back end of the innings.

“We’ve taken all positives from the first two games and brought them to the last two,” said English captain Brook after the match.

“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.”

In response, Australia looked strong initially.

Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head put on 68 runs for the first wicket at a handy run rate, with Head falling in the ninth over.

From there, however, the wickets did not stop, with 10 falling in the space of 58 runs.

Other than Marsh (28) and Head (34), only two batsmen made double digits. The rest fell quickly as Matthew Potts collected four wickets and the visitors folded for 126 all out from 24.4 overs.

“We were off. Fair play to England,” confessed Australian captain Marsh.

“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.”

Brook was thrilled with how his team performed with the ball as well, lauding Jofra Archer in particular, who has recently returned to the side.

“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.”

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