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On a cold September night at an empty Old Trafford he had no way of throwing a World Cup reunion party and indeed England night fell flat, with Australia prevailing by 19 runs to go 1-0 up in this series. of ODI of three parties.
Set 295 to win by tourists, Eoin Morgan’s side was looking at a record-breaking chase, though with nine players from last summer’s triumph at Lord’s and a huge catalog of similar hits, few could rule it out.
But under the lights, and against the three closers who helped retain the Ashes in Manchester 12 months ago, the world champions could only muster 275 out of nine when the 50 overs ended, despite a career-high 118 from Sam. Billings who had it. lower swinging the final delivery.
While Glenn Maxwell (77) and Mitchell Marsh (73) led Australia to 294 for nine of their 50 overs, it was Josh Hazlewood who shone the brightest, delivering a new ball spell from his Test Match playbook, finishing with figures. 3 for 26 and claiming a good catch in the depths to eliminate Jonny Bairstow by 84.
The 29-year-old was flawless from the start, hitting a metronomic pace and enjoying a pinch of movement to eliminate Jason Roy with a surprising one-handed return catch and Joe Root thanks to a more classic lead behind.
These punches, the frugality of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, plus Bairstow’s lack of fluidity brought the score just 22 for two at the end of the opening power play, allowing Adam Zampa to capitalize on the need for England to move in a match. in which the leg-spinner claims four times 55.
Morgan was the first to succumb to Zampa, hitting Maxwell in the middle of the short wicket on the 23rd, although the catch of the day belonged to Marnus Labuschagne, who initially lost sight of Jos Buttler’s attempt at long range six before recovering to make an excellent jump. effort.
Out of 57 for four, Billings and Bairstow began to fight back, adding 113 in 19 overs. But when the latter pocketed Zampa and Moeen Ali meekly appeased Hazlewood for more cover when the last over from right looked the way to go, the game was effectively up to 182 of six in the 39th.
With Chris Woakes falling into the Zampa finale, Billings went out of his way to take him deep and an entry of inventive sweeps and crisp drives led to him being rewarded with an inaugural international century. There were still 39 runs of the last 11 balls required when he did it and the miracle worker he was substituting for, Ben Stokes, wouldn’t even be expected to pull it off.
Australia had entered the game without Steve Smith, the master hitter having been hit in the head in the nets 24 hours earlier. Although he passed an initial concussion test, another is required before Sunday’s second game.
In Smith’s absence, and having been placed by Morgan in the draw, the tourists stumbled on 123 for five for 24, started by Jofra Archer and David Warner for six with a beauty that went through the opener.
Both Archer and his fast partner Mark Wood were playing their first ODI since last summer’s World Cup final and the latter, on the first change, cut Aaron Finch with his initial delivery before putting out a lively start of the replacement. Smith, Marcus Stoinis, when he was caught behind. for 43 of 34 balls. Adil Rashid, with Morgan’s praise ringing in his ears, then continued the wizardry witnessed during the T20s, catching Labuschagne lbw for 21 with a slider and coaxing Alex Carey from a top edge to a short fine leg sweep.
Marsh, constantly building up their runs, was joined by the more dynamic Maxwell and the pair compiled Australia’s highest position on sixth field against England in ODI cricket with 126 runs in 20 overs. Morgan, who needed a breakthrough, could have been forgiven for wondering if Liam Plunkett didn’t retire too early.
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Maxwell, in particular, made those rubber wrists pay off, needing just 43 balls for his half century, 32 fewer than Marsh, and signaling his intention to fire up afterburners at 44 with six straight from the returning Archer.
Archer struck back immediately, Maxwell slashing a slower ball on his stumps and then tricking Cummins with a knuckle ball, before Wood turned off Marsh’s patient lbw innings with three overs remaining.
And with Woakes eliminating Zampa caught and thrown at 50, England had apparently limited the damage, but Starc threw the last ball of the innings for six, giving Australia a little boost before Hazlewood took over.
