England kept the series alive with victory in the second ODI of the series after Australia fell apart in another chase.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
The English summer draws to a close with this match, though some of the players involved will jet off to the IPL directly after the third and final ODI.
Third ODI |Wednesday 16 September 2020 | Old Trafford, Manchester| 14:00
To Win Match
England 72/100
Tie 25/1
Australia 23/20
England
England still have some concerns about their middle-order, but they showed great fighting spirit to come back from collapse and win the second ODI.
The hosts have been light on runs at the top, but openers Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow have threatened to unleash their best on the touring Australians.
Tom and Sam Curran came into the England team in the second match making all the difference with both bat and ball. Tom made a valuable 37 while Sam took 3 for 35.
Jofra Archer was incisive with the new ball and appears to be getting back to his best form at least in white-ball cricket.
England bowled well as a unit to defend a modest total in the second match and should retain the same attack while changes to the top order are likely.
Australia
Australia’s tendency to go walkabout in the middle of their innings returned to haunt them in Manchester but they will need to shrug that off an bounce back before they head home.
A lack of middle-order partnerships proved their undoing on this occasion. Australia appeared to have done their homework on Adil Rashid, but it was the English pacemen who caused their downfall.
Adam Zampa has bowled well throughout the series and continues to be a thorn in the Englishmen’s sides. England have found it difficult to get hold of the tricky leggie, who makes excellent use of flight and dip to deceive batsmen.
Australia need their batsmen to back up perhaps one of the best bowling units around if they are to get anything out of this series.
The visitors will be hopeful that Aaron Finch and David Warner might put together one of their trademark dominant opening stands to add another dimension to their ODI game.
Verdict: England 72/100
The hosts should have the resolve to close the series out.
