2nd ODI
England’s collective bowling performance has successfully limited Australia to a total of 270 runs
Australia scored 270 in 44.4 overs vs England.
England’s bowlers made a strong recovery from a lackluster performance in Nottingham, restricting Australia to 270 on a good batting surface in Leeds during the second ODI on Saturday (September 21).
Despite half-centuries from Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh, the England bowlers consistently broke partnerships, preventing Australia from establishing a solid foundation.
After a brisk start from the Australian openers, Brydon Carse secured a crucial breakthrough by having Travis Head caught by Olly Stone at deep backward square leg for 29 off 27 balls.
Just three overs later, Jamie Smith took a sharp catch behind the stumps to dismiss the other opener, Matthew Short.
Matthew Potts then delivered a mean inswinger that rattled Steve Smith’s stumps, sending him back for just 4 runs.
A slow but steady partnership developed between Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne, with Marsh taking the initiative.
He aggressively targeted Carse, smashing two sixes in a 15-run 24th over.
Unfortunately for Australia, Labuschagne threw his wicket away in the following over, hitting a harmless half-tracker from left-arm spinner Jacob Bethell to Liam Livingstone at mid-on.
Bethell then added to Australia’s woes by dismissing Marsh in his next over, trapping him leg-before for a 59-ball 60.
Spin continued to wreak havoc as Adil Rashid claimed his 200th ODI wicket.
Glenn Maxwell attempted to attack the leg-spinner but ended up finding the deep midwicket fielder with his slog sweep.
Aaron Hardie and Alex Carey managed to drag the team past the 200-run mark before Carse returned to take two wickets in quick succession, dismissing Hardie and Mitchell Starc to leave Australia struggling at eight down for 216.
Rashid then took his 201st wicket when Adam Zampa sliced a delivery straight to Olly Stone at short third man.
From a precarious position at 221 for 9 in the 37th over, Carey guided Australia to an additional 49 runs in partnership with Josh Hazlewood, whose contribution was minimal with just four runs.
Carey effectively controlled the strike for 8.1 overs, allowing Hazlewood to face only 11 balls.
He scored a gritty 74, hitting eight fours and three sixes before being dismissed by Stone in the 45th over.
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