England stormed back in spectacular fashion to level the ODI series against Australia 2-2, courtesy of a commanding 186-run victory at Lord’s. In a match reduced to 39 overs due to rain, England delivered a near-perfect performance with both bat and ball, setting up a tantalizing series decider in Bristol on Sunday.
Brook’s Class and Livingstone’s Brutality Power England
The foundation of England’s colossal 343-8 came from Harry Brook’s sublime 87, which formed the backbone of the innings. Coming off his maiden ODI century in Durham, Brook looked in complete control, racing to a 37-ball half-century. His inning was full of class and intent, propelling England forward after early losses.
Brook’s near-dismissal for 17 briefly sparked controversy, as Mitchell Starc’s delivery was gloved down the leg side and caught by Josh Inglis. Although given out, replays confirmed the ball had bounced just before reaching Inglis, overturning the decision. The crowd, recalling past Ashes controversies, responded with boos and chants of “same old Aussies, always cheating,” but the drama quickly subsided.
Brook added 79 in 53 balls with Ben Duckett (50) for the third wicket and 75 in 47 with debutant Jamie Smith (35). England began accelerating rapidly after a rain-delayed start, with the innings going into overdrive in the final 15 overs, where they scored 156 runs.
The real fireworks, however, came from Liam Livingstone, whose blistering 25-ball half-century marked a ground-record at Lord’s. He blasted four sixes in the final over bowled by Mitchell Starc, dismantling the left-arm quick’s figures in the process. Starc conceded 28 runs in that over, the most by any Australian bowler in a men’s ODI. Livingstone’s assault saw England reach a daunting total, as he finished unbeaten on 65 from just 28 balls.
Australia’s Response: Promising Start, But a Swift Collapse
Australia’s chase began with an air of optimism, especially after Travis Head launched an enormous six over the Tavern Stand, sending the ball out of the ground. Alongside Mitchell Marsh, Head gave Australia hope, as they reached 66 without loss after the powerplay, well ahead of England’s comparative score of 34 without loss.
However, the game shifted quickly when Head mistimed a swing across the line and was bowled by Brydon Carse. Soon after, Steven Smith fell victim to an awkward charge, edging Matthew Potts to the keeper. From there, Australia’s chase unraveled spectacularly.
The breakthrough moment came when Jofra Archer, in his latest comeback, produced a sensational delivery to dismiss Marsh. The 88.2 mph off-cutter shaped in before straightening just enough to beat Marsh’s bat and crash into the stumps. Archer’s celebration, reminiscent of his 2019 Ashes exploits, energized the crowd, and soon after he struck Glenn Maxwell’s stumps to complete his return to Lord’s with two wickets.
Labuschagne, another crucial batter for Australia, was floored by a brutal Archer bouncer that clattered into his forearm, evoking further memories of the 2019 Ashes battles. The procession continued when Carse delivered a peach of a ball to flatten Labuschagne’s off-stump, leaving Australia with no answers.
Matthew Potts then ran riot, claiming a career-best 4 for 38. He took three wickets in four balls, devastating the Australian lower order, which collapsed in a heap. By the end of the innings, Potts and the rest of England’s quicks had shared nine wickets between them. Adil Rashid eventually wrapped things up, taking the final wicket to bowl Australia out for a mere 157.
England’s Seamers Dominate Under Cloudy Skies
After being put into bat under heavy cloud cover, England initially struggled against the movement generated by Australia’s seamers. Phil Salt fell to Josh Hazlewood shortly after the powerplay, and Will Jacks picked out a fielder off Marsh’s bowling. Both early wickets, coupled with the rain disruption, put England in a cautious mood initially.
Brook, however, batted as if on a different surface, unfazed by the conditions. His fluent strokeplay, especially on the leg side, anchored England’s innings as he combined with Duckett and later Smith to shift the momentum.
Australia’s seamers, aside from Hazlewood, endured a tough day. Sean Abbott’s horror series continued, with his combined figures from three matches totaling a woeful 19.4-0-165-0. Starc, too, saw his figures obliterated in the final over by Livingstone’s relentless hitting.
In contrast, England’s bowlers thrived under the conditions. Carse and Potts delivered crucial breakthroughs, while Archer, in his best spell since returning to international cricket, was back to his menacing best. The ball consistently nipped around in the overcast conditions, and England’s bowlers took full advantage.
Livingstone Steals the Show
The match’s defining moment came when Livingstone entered the fray, turning a solid total into an unassailable one. His brutal hitting, particularly off Starc, sent the Lord’s crowd into a frenzy. The last over of England’s innings was pure carnage, as Livingstone hammered two sixes into the pavilion and tore apart Starc’s figures. It was a stunning reminder of Livingstone’s ability to single-handedly change the complexion of a game.
Brook’s elegant batting may have set the platform, but it was Livingstone’s destructive finish that ensured Australia had no realistic chance of chasing down England’s total.
Looking Ahead: Series Decider in Bristol
With the series now tied at 2-2, attention turns to the final ODI in Bristol on Sunday. England’s performance at Lord’s, especially the resurgence of Archer and the form of Brook and Livingstone, gives them the edge heading into the decider. However, weather could yet play a major role, with rain threatening to disrupt the series finale.
As England and Australia prepare for the series-deciding showdown, one thing is clear: this ODI series has delivered excitement and drama in equal measure, setting the stage for an epic conclusion.
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