England won the second ODI by 24 runs to level their three-game series against Australia after the visitors, who were chasing a modest 232 goal, suffered a dramatic collapse on Sunday. Australia appeared to be sailing when it reached 144 for two thanks to a 107-run partnership on third ground by captain Aaron Finch (73) and Marnus Labuschagne (48) before capitulating to 207 all in all.
Chris Woakes triggered the collapse when he had Labuschagne lbw, starting a race in which the Australian lost three wickets for one run in eleven deliveries.
“That’s the best we’ve played in a while,” England captain Eoin Morgan said. “We took advantage of the conditions, the ball rocked back a bit, went up and down. Our group of four seamers was outstanding. “
England also broke free during their own innings. Having won the toss and chosen to hit, they wandered at a crosswalk with Joe Root needing 73 balls for his 39.
They appeared to be in real trouble at 149-8, but then they connected 53 runs in the final four overs with Tom Curran (37) and Adil Rashid (36) adding 76 for the ninth wicket.
Archer made two early advances in Australia’s innings when he had David Warner and Marcus Stoinis caught by Jos Buttler to leave Australia at 37-2.
But Finch, who escaped a run in the first over, and Labuschagne appeared to have put Australia in charge, prompting Morgan to bring Archer and Woakes on the attack.
It paid dividends when Woakes eliminated Labuschagne, Finch and Glenn Maxwell, while Archer castled Mitchell Marsh to leave Australia reeling at 147-6.
Sam Curran sprang into action when he fired Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc in successive balls and also claimed Adam Zampa’s scalp.
Alex Carey kept Australia in contention, albeit slow, as they hit a cap on a spell of 16 over, before being beaten by Rashid in the penultimate over.
“England squeezed us, they threw a very long pitch. It was tough to push the limits, but I’m still very disappointed, ”Finch said.
“It was getting more difficult as the game progressed, but that’s no excuse for the collapse. It was probably not the best spectator game, but it was good to see an equal game between bat and ball. “
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