Cricket: Alex Carey and quicks lead Australia to victory
England have missed a prime opportunity to square up their five-match ODI series against Australia, losing by 68 runs in the second ODI in Leeds on Saturday.
The home side had Australia at 9/221 before a 10th wicket stand between Alex Carey and Josh Hazlewood led the visitors through to a score of 270 from 44.4 overs.
In response, England were unable to rein in the modest total, suffering a middle-order collapse as they stumbled their way to 202 all out.
Australia are now $1.05 favourites to win the series with cricket betting sites, with England marked upwards of $11
Australia’s total of 270 in the second ODI could have been much worse.
Put into bat first, Australia’s openers laid a solid platform, with Matthew Short and Travis Head each making 29 runs.
A half-century from captain Mitchell Marsh had them at a handy 2/89 after 13.5 overs.
However, wickets consistently fell through the middle of the innings as they slipped to 6/161, with Alex Carey the only assured looking batsman.
Allrounder Aaron Hardie gave Carey some company as they briefly stemmed the bleeding to go through to 6/216.
A double strike by Brydon Carse – who ended with three wickets – quickly opened the flood gates again, and Australia were staring down the barrel of a sub-225 score.
Carey kicked into gear just in time though, putting on 49 runs for the final wicket with some smart play alongside Josh Hazlewood to post a respectable score of 270.
“These days, 270 you always feel a bit shot, but we knew with Starc and Hazlewood, if we took early wickets we’re a chance,” explained captain Marsh after the match.
“Those little partnerships at the back end with the tailenders are vital.
“Really pleasing win. Big thing is to focus on what we’re doing.
“Playing England in England is a tough assignment.
“Really pleased with where we’re at.”
With just 270 to chase, Australia needed to produce something special with the ball.
That is exactly what they did, as England’s top order were devastated by Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
The duo took five wickets between them, leaving England reeling at 5/665 inside the first 10 overs.
While Jamie Smith’s 49 from 61 offered a brief resistance alongside Jacob Bethell (25 from 35), Carse (26 from 46) and Adil Rashid (27 from 34), the damage was done as Australia’s spinners got their teeth into the English lineup.
Glenn Maxwell took two wickets and Adam Zampa claimed one, while Aaron Hardie also had an excellent outing with two wickets at just 3.25 per over.
The result was a big missed opportunity for England, with the hosts falling well short of Australia’s modest total.
“We bowled nicely, to restrict them to 270, we did a good job,” reflected England’s captain Harry Brooks after the match.
“Obviously we lost early wickets in the powerplay and that killed us.
“Took positive options to put the pressure on but didn’t come off.
“Inexperienced team playing against one of the best sides in the world – it’s about patience, we’re only two games in.
“So many positives we can take, we’ve done everything we’ve said we’d do, just hasn’t gone our way.”
Top sports bookmakers have Australia as $1.57 favourites to win the third ODI on Tuesday in Chester-le-Street, which is now a must-win for England.
