4th ODI
Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone along with Ben Duckett has propelled the England team beyond the 300-run mark
England scored 312/5 in 39 overs vs Australia.
England posted a formidable total of 312 for 5 in their rain-reduced 39 overs during the fourth ODI against Australia at Lord’s, thanks to half-centuries from Harry Brook (87), Ben Duckett (63), and a late-innings onslaught by Liam Livingstone (62* off 27).
A wet start delayed play for over two hours in London, but once the game began, it was hard-hitting cricket all the way.
Josh Hazlewood, operating in favorable overcast conditions, bowled with precision, beating the bat consistently.
Despite his efforts, England moved to 35/0 in the eight-over powerplay.
Hazlewood’s accuracy yielded just one breakthrough in his opening five-over spell, when Philip Salt edged a delivery to backward point.
Mitchell Marsh then removed Will Jacks, leaving England at a cautious 71 for 2 in the 14th over after a measured start in challenging conditions.
The momentum shifted with a 79-run third-wicket stand between Brook and Duckett.
Brook, fresh from a century in the previous match, immediately found his rhythm, particularly against Adam Zampa, who returned to the side after illness.
Brook was briefly given out for 17 when it seemed he had nicked one down the leg side, but replays showed the ball bounced before reaching keeper Josh Inglis.
Duckett played the perfect supporting role, scoring at a run-a-ball before mistiming a sweep against Zampa.
Brook continued to accelerate, adding 75 runs for the fourth wicket with Jamie Smith as England reached 200 in the 28th over.
Brook eventually fell for a sublime 87 off 58 balls, hitting 11 fours and a six, before lofting one to long-on off Zampa.
Smith was dismissed in the following over by a long hop from Glenn Maxwell, but his departure set the stage for Livingstone to unleash his power in the final seven overs.
Livingstone smashed three fours and seven sixes, with four of the maximums coming in the final over, which yielded 28 runs off Mitchell Starc, making him the first Australian bowler to concede that many in an ODI.
Livingstone’s blitz helped England smash 12 sixes overall, the most by any team in an ODI at Lord’s.
Given that this came in just 39 overs, it highlighted the steep challenge Australia faced after opting to bowl first.
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