Australia [305/7] beat England [302/7] to win the ODI series 2-1

[MenInG]

With the series level at 1-1, the winner of the third ODI will take the series in addition to 10 vital points on the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League.

Overview

England v Australia, 3rd ODI
Old Trafford, Manchester
16 September, 2020, 1.00pm local time, 12.00pm GMT

After suffering a collapse in the second ODI to concede a game from an advantageous position for the second time on the tour, Australia will look to get their act right for the third and deciding match on Wednesday.

Towards that end, they will hope to be able to include Steve Smith in the playing XI after the star batsman missed the first couple of games over concussion concerns, having taken a blow to the head in training prior to the first ODI.

England, while they should be delighted about their ability to bounce back from seemingly hopeless situations time and time again, will be keen to identify issues landing them in tough spots in the first place.

Worryingly for them, the usually dominant openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow have looked slightly rusty in the two matches. While Bairstow was able to break the shackles for a big score in the first match, Australia's bowlers didn't allow that to occur again in the second game.

As for the bowling side of things, England will be very pleased with how the likes of Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid and Chris Woakes are delivering. It will be interesting to see whether they make room for Mark Wood in the third match after he sat out the previous game. The hosts will hope to extend their early lead on the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup Super League points table.

Remember the last time

After bowling superbly on a pitch with slightly uneven bounce, Australia had England on the mat at 149/8, but a splendid 76-run stand between Tom Curran and Adil Rashid for the ninth wicket carried the hosts to a respectable 231/9.

The visitors then looked in command of the chase at 144/2 with captain Aaron Finch (73) and Marnus Labuschagne (48) steering the chase expertly. But Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes produced an excellent display of bowling to set the cat among the pigeons as Australia slipped to 147/6 to completely change the complexion of the match. Australia simply were unable to recover thereafter, conceding defeat by 24 runs after a collapse that had strong echoes of their performance in the first T20I on this tour.

What they said

Eoin Morgan, England captain: "Jofra is obviously an ace and so is Woakesy. It's our strongest suit. For them to come back like that was outstanding. When they bowl like that they make the captain look good."

Adam Zampa, Australia leg-spinner: "He's a world-class player and has that experience as well. It's pretty obvious if Steve Smith is fit, he's in most cricket teams. I'd hope to have him back for the third game."

https://www.icc-cricket.com/news/1831194

[Ab Fan]

In for Keysy and Warnie's hilarious showdown in the commentary box

[Hasan123]

What a start for Australia.

Really poor shot by Roy. It was there to be hit.

[Hasan123]

This is excellent from Starc.

[Hasan123]

England have regularly coming back after seemingly being out of the game, if they win today it will be up there with one of there best comebacks under Morgan.

[Hasan123]

No Smith again. Hope we get a good game.

Australia need to ensure they capitalise if they get into a good position.

[Hasan123]

Mitchell Starc is the best ODI bowler in the world.

[JattMaula]

[Ab Fan]

Hahahah

Starc continues to prove he is a GOAT LO bowler and a highly successful test bowler. One of the bowlers of the generation, as good as Joel Garner.

[Hasan123]

Hazelwood and Starc as a combination are brilliant. Australia must keep them together in ODIs. They have rotated Hazelwood in and out. He has shown in this series his quality.

[sindhiboy]

Hazelwood and Starc as a combination are brilliant. Australia must keep them together in ODIs. They have rotated Hazelwood in and out. He has shown in this series his quality.

I think hazlewood performs brilliantly in england, dont know how he is in odis outside england and on flat pitches.

Jason Berendhorff is a quality bowler and better than hazlewood in odis. Jhye Richardson is also brilliant. No idea why Aussie selectors didnt pick those two bowlers for this tour

[Hasan123]

I think hazlewood performs brilliantly in england, dont know how he is in odis outside england and on flat pitches.

Jason Berendhorff is a quality bowler and better than hazlewood in odis. Jhye Richardson is also brilliant. No idea why Aussie selectors didnt pick those two bowlers for this tour

Richardson and Berendhortff are injured and neither are better than Hazelwood.

Hazelwood usually does well in Australia where pitches are flat as well.

[sindhiboy]

Richardson and Berendhortff are injured and neither are better than Hazelwood.

Hazelwood usually does well in Australia where pitches are flat as well.

But even in odis? Hazlewood's length ball bowling is a recipe for leaking runs on flat pitches in limited overs

[sindhiboy]

Starc is statistically one of the greatest odi bowlers of all time.
Morgan is kind of opening the innings now. Interesting to see how he performs.

Having said that, england will still manage to win this match somehow in the final 15 overs

[Hasan123]

Starc can go for runs. But he is looking for wickets so it's a risk worth taking.

[Tubs]

Oh boy, time for a captain's knock.

[Rana]

Morgan's feet movement are a joke at the moment. clearly backing away from Starc out of fear

[topspin]

Morgan's feet movement are a joke at the moment. clearly backing away from Starc out of fear

I was thinking about you earlier because I was watching on Youtube clips of Chahal bowl and I then had a flash back to when you called him "Yuzvendra Chawwal"

[Rana]

I was thinking about you earlier because I was watching on Youtube clips of Chahal bowl and I then had a flash back to when you called him "Yuzvendra Chawwal"

Suits the guy considering he offered to go to the border and fight after the Pulwama incident

[topspin]

Suits the guy considering he offered to go to the border and fight after the Pulwama incident

Oh wow I didn't know about that.

Don't think his 5ft5 presence will be leaving anyone quaking in their boots hahaha

[Firebat]

Really fantastic batting by Billings.

[sindhiboy]

tom curran has a horrible batting stance

[Hasan123]

Great shot by Bairstow. He is so good in the PP overs.

[Nikhil_cric]

England firing back.

[Hasan123]

This is great stuff from Morgan.

[Hasan123]

This is where you have to credit Morgan and England. They are still looking to stick to there style of play even when they are 2 down in a series decider.

[The Viper]

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[Hasan123]

England have comeback well here. Australia don't seem to have an answer.

[Nikhil_cric]

England just bat way too aggressively and way too deep.

[sindhiboy]

Cant think of any other team who are incessant on smacking boundaries right after losing 2 wickets in their first 2 balls

[Rana]

Cant think of any other team who are incessant on smacking boundaries right after losing 2 wickets in their first 2 balls

Very flat deck, small boundary one side and fast outfield. Full value for shots on offer

[sweep_shot]

Another failure for Roy today. Golden duck!

[sweep_shot]

Nice recovery after being 0/2.

66/2 after 9.5 overs.

[Hasan123]

Shane Warne said an over or so ago, try a spinner as England were comfortable against pace. Warne is a genius tactically.

[Hasan123]

Zampa on and he strikes straight away.

[Nikhil_cric]

That's it. Just look for wickets. Impossibile to contain this batting lineup.

[sweep_shot]

67/3.

Bairstow departs.

England are in a bit of a tangle now.

[Ab Fan]

Hazelwood and Cummins are not great ODI bowlers by any standards.

[Hasan123]

Hazelwood and Cummins are not great ODI bowlers by any standards.

These guys have not played any cricket for 6 months. Bit harsh to write them off.

[asadee]

Looks like a 400 pitch

[Hasan123]

Good over by Zampa.

[asadee]

67/3.

Bairstow departs.

England are in a bit of a tangle now.

Morgan

[MMHS]

Normally you win toss and bowl first in England, even in D/N games. But, this series both teams have defended totals, which is probably because in mid September weather is much cooler, ball grips on used tracks & it seems under light with light moisture from dew. Otherwise, no reason why England should bat first here with their batting depth.

[Nikhil_cric]

Normally you win toss and bowl first in England, even in D/N games. But, this series both teams have defended totals, which is probably because in mid September weather is much cooler, ball grips on used tracks & it seems under light with light moisture from dew. Otherwise, no reason why England should bat first here with their batting depth.

This is a fresh pitch though

[shariqnoor]

Normally you win toss and bowl first in England, even in D/N games. But, this series both teams have defended totals, which is probably because in mid September weather is much cooler, ball grips on used tracks & it seems under light with light moisture from dew. Otherwise, no reason why England should bat first here with their batting depth.

Wrong. In the last 3 years, any team that has won the toss and batted first has won every single game. Not even 1 loss. Whereas any team that has won the loss and fielded first have lost 3 times out of 11.

[Hasan123]

50 for Bairstow.

[shariqnoor]

The slump of Root has been staggering. In Tests in the last 3 years, he averages only 39. Only 4 Test centuries in 3 years. That is Asad Shafiq level batting.

[AamchiMumbaikar]

The slump of Root has been staggering. In Tests in the last 3 years, he averages only 39. Only 4 Test centuries in 3 years. That is Asad Shafiq level batting.

Babar should replace him in Fab 4

[asadee]

4 down Butler gone

[Hasan123]

Love how when Finch senses a chance of getting into a good position, he brings on his best bowlers.

[Hasan123]

This is excellent from Zampa.

[Tubs]

Terrible review, haha.

[Ab Fan]

Time for tuk-tuk. Plenty of overs to go.

[Hasan123]

England still in this game. These 2 are rebuilding well. Australia need to keep trying to get wickets.

[Rana]

Need to get to 200 without losing another wicket. Bairstow can go for a double ton here

[Rana]

Really good to see that England have players like Billings, Pope, Banton and Crawley all coming through and are ready to take over from the senior guns.

[Firebat]

Really good to see that England have players like Billings, Pope, Banton and Crawley all coming through and are ready to take over from the senior guns.

Who is Billings ready to replace? He's about the same age (29) as the likes of Stokes, Root, Roy, Bairstow and Buttler. Don't really see a place for him in this side, no matter how well he's playing.

[Rana]

Who is Billings ready to replace? He's about the same age (29) as the likes of Stokes, Root, Roy, Bairstow and Buttler. Don't really see a place for him in this side, no matter how well he's playing.

Billings should play and not have to replace anyone really. He seems to be a good number 6, would keep him there.

Roy
Bairstow
Root
Stokes
Morgan
Billings
Butler
Woakes
Curren
Archer
Rashid

[Firebat]

Billings should play and not have to replace anyone really. He seems to be a good number 6, would keep him there.

Roy
Bairstow
Root
Stokes
Morgan
Billings
Butler
Woakes
Curren
Archer
Rashid

A team with Root and Stokes as the 5th bowling option will not be a World Cup winning side. England's weakness is already their bowling, they really do not need more batting depth.

[Ab Fan]

England looking for 300 total if these two can bat for 10 more overs.

[Hasan123]

Marsh is doing a good job here. He is more than capable of being a 5th bowler for Australia in ODIs.

[sindhiboy]

Butler should have been rested this game. Billings is proving to be a very key lower order batsman

[Hasan123]

Billings has had a good summer. Surely he can't be dropped when Stokes comes back.

[Tubs]

Billings has had a good summer. Surely he can't be dropped when Stokes comes back.

He said himself that no matter how many runs he makes, Stokes will get his place back as soon as he's back. I'm inclined to agree but it's very sad that it's the case.

[Hasan123]

He said himself that no matter how many runs he makes, Stokes will get his place back as soon as he's back. I'm inclined to agree but it's very sad that it's the case.

I think he can take Moen Alis place. Ali has been poor for a while.

Roy
Bairstow
Root
Morgan
Stokes
Buttler
Billings

[sindhiboy]

Does Butler have to keep his place?lol

[Hasan123]

Big wicket for Australia.

[Tubs]

I think he can take Moen Alis place. Ali has been poor for a while.

Roy
Bairstow
Root
Morgan
Stokes
Buttler
Billings

Hmm, good point actually, Moeen has been underbowled lately too. What would the whole team look like with Billings instead of Moeen?

Roy
Bairstow
Root
Morgan
Stokes
Buttler
Billings
Woakes
Rashid
Archer
Wood

?

Seem a bowler light for me, would like to see Curran (or Moeen when on form) there, puts Billings in a tough position. Shame, I really like him.

[Hasan123]

Hmm, good point actually, Moeen has been underbowled lately too. What would the whole team look like with Billings instead of Moeen?

Roy
Bairstow
Root
Morgan
Stokes
Buttler
Billings
Woakes
Rashid
Archer
Wood

?

Seem a bowler light for me, would like to see Curran (or Moeen when on form) there, puts Billings in a tough position. Shame, I really like him.

At home this is what I would play. Away from home you could drop Billings for an all rounder.

[Firebat]

I think he can take Moen Alis place. Ali has been poor for a while.

Roy
Bairstow
Root
Morgan
Stokes
Buttler
Billings

Unlikely they will drop that extra spinning option for another out and out batsman, especially with the upcoming WC in India.

Going into an ODI World Cup with 4 bowlers and Stokes as your main 5th bowler option will be a recipe for disaster.

[Hasan123]

Unlikely they will drop that extra spinning option for another out and out batsman, especially with the upcoming WC in India.

Going into an ODI World Cup with 4 bowlers and Stokes as your main 5th bowler option will be a recipe for disaster.

Root can bowl some overs too. That 11 was for a side in England. English pitches are mostly favourable for batting in LO, so England should back there batting depth. Away from home, they should look to play an all rounder instead of Billings.

[sindhiboy]

I really love that billings scoop shot

[Hasan123]

Excellent cricket from Billings.

[Mamoon]

Billings would easily be our best ODI batsman and he cannot even get into the first choice England XI.

England’s depth is amazing, but Pakistan is the most talented nation though.

[sindhiboy]

Billings would easily be our best ODI batsman and he cannot even get into the first choice England XI.

England’s depth is amazing, but Pakistan is the most talented nation though.

thats why both of us support england.

[sindhiboy]

thats why both of us support england.

lol

[Ahmed216]

Billings would easily be our best ODI batsman and he cannot even get into the first choice England XI.

England’s depth is amazing, but Pakistan is the most talented nation though.

He's already better than Babar

[Justcrazy]

Aussies need wickets here to control the run rate a bit and restrict Poms within 290

[Justcrazy]

260 . 6

24 balls left . Poms would be looking for another 40 runs here

[Justcrazy]

Woakes is the key here , he can make a difference of 10 - 15 runs here