Australia’s fast pitcher Pat Cummins launched a delivery on Wednesday that ‘turned a mile’ to hit the top of England starter Jonny Bairstow’s stump during the decisive third ODI of the series at Old Trafford in Manchester.
Bairstow was speeding when Cummins made a special delivery to halt his advance. Bairstow was hitting at 112 when Cummins wiggled his fingers to completely fool England’s right-hander. It was the first delivery of the 41st time, the ball launched off the stump and spun back sharply to sneak through the gap between the bat and Bairstow’s pad. (England vs Australia 3rd ODI score)
The England wicket-keeper batsman was left speechless by Cummins’ delivery.
However, that delivery from Cummins shouldn’t take anything away from the innings Baristow played. He fought back superbly after Mitchell Starc shook England two early wickets.
Bairstow’s 10th century in 83 games at this level came from 116 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes.
Going 96-4, Bairstow and Billings (57) scored 114 runs for fifth field to bring England back into the game, just as they did in the first ODI on Friday when they shared a 113 position in loss.
Bairstow reached his 10th ODI century before some lustful punches from Chris Woakes (53 on 39 balls) lifted the hosts to 302-7, leaving Australia needing a record run at the Manchester venue. Fifty-three runs came from the last five overs.
The series is tied 1-1.
England are looking to preserve their five-year record unbeaten in bilateral ODI series and finish their international summer, during which all their matches have been played without fans, undefeated in all formats against the West Indies, Ireland, Pakistan and Australia.
It is Australia’s last game of their white ball tour, with the team that already lost the Twenty20 series 2-1.
.
