England had thrashed Australia by 186 runs in the fourth ODI Of England vs Australia ODI Series at Lord’s. Thus, the contest got leveled at 2-2, and both teams would now move into a cracking decider in Bristol. It was quite an impressive match from the bat and ball perspectives of England. Let us go into the details of this impressive match.
England’s dominant batting – England vs Australia ODI Series
England batted first and notched up a stiff total of 312 runs in just 39 overs. Stand-in captain Harry Brook took the cudgels by himself with a magnificent 87 runs off 58 balls, while Ben Duckett scored 63 runs from 62 balls. The highlight of the innings remained Liam Livingstone’s explosive unbeaten 62 runs, smashing them with only 27 balls.
Livingstone’s innings contained seven sixes, of which four were in one over off Mitchell Starc of Australia. Livingstone has been the first man to make a fifty in an ODI in just 25 balls at Lord’s. This total of 312-5 by England has marked a record 12 sixes at Lord’s.
Today, Australia’s struggle starts
Chasing 313 runs, Australia began well but started coming apart very quickly. Openers Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh started the way many would have seen it going. They put England on their backfoot, forcing pressure onto the bowlers. But everything changed when Brydon Carse saw the back of Head, after which there was a collapse. Suddenly, within a few overs, Australia went from 68 for no loss to all out 126 in just 24.4 overs.
Matthews was brilliant, 4 for 38 runs, while Carse had taken 3 for 36 runs. Jofra Archer also came in with a haul of 2 for 33 runs. The Australian batting collapse under pressure and left England with an easy victory.
Brook’s Brilliant Form Continues
Harry Brook, who had only recently gone past his maiden ODI hundred, was once again in exceptionally good form here. Throughout his innings, the shots were very strong and the timing immaculate. Once the rain break was over, Brook ensured that the good start that Duckett and Phil Salt had made did not go to waste.
Panic moments did creep in for Brook as a catch behind was awarded after a referral. However, he capitalized on the opportunity. He played confidently, eventually falling 13 short of another century. It was Adam Zampa who dismissed him, but it turned out to be a tough day for Australia’s spinners.
Livingstone’s Late Flourish
Then Brook was replaced by Liam Livingstone. He gave an aggressive form of batting that started hitting boundaries and changed the match momentum through his individual onslaught against the bowling of Australia, which immensely benefited the home crowd and set a daunting target to be chased down by Australia.
The Quick Collapse of Australia
The Australians began sensibly in their innings, but England’s bowling attack turned everything upside down. Despite a dream start, wickets began falling in quick succession, and the Australian batsmen could not get themselves going. Potts and Carse effectively dismantled the Australian batting order.
Except for Head, all the other batsmen of the visiting team failed to handle the relentless bowling by England. The bowlers of the home team were sharp, and after the mini collapse of its top order, Australia faced little resistance.
Glimmering future prospects
With the series now level, both teams head into the decider to Bristol. England, riding high from its performance, will look to clinch the series, while Australia will look to bounce back and take the series. This is going to be a thrilling contest—watch out for it!
Conclusion
Their 186-run victory proved that they have the talent and the fight within them. The stand-in captain’s Harry Brook’s brilliant innings, with exceptional bowling, nearly leveled the series for England against Australia. Fans of cricket can expect quite an exciting showdown in the final match as everything is up for grabs.
