Harry Brook smashed his maiden ODI hundred as England beat Australia by 46 runs (DLS) in the third ODI at the Riverside Ground in Chester-Le-Street. With the win, the hosts made it 1-2 and kept their hopes alive of winning the five-match series. The Three Lions won after rain halted play with their score at 254 for four while chasing 305. Australia’s 14-match winning streak in ODIs also ended.
England vs Australia, 3rd ODI Highlights
After being asked to bat first, the Aussies put up a healthy score of 304 for seven on the board. Matthew Short (14) and Mitchell Marsh (24) failed to convert their starts. But it was a partnership of 84 runs between Steve Smith and Cameron Green that steadied the ship. Batting at No.3, Smith scored 60 runs off 82 balls with five fours before Jofra Archer accounted for his wicket.
Green also contributed with 42 runs. Labuschagne fell for a duck, but Alex Carey, Australia’s hero from the second ODI, played his shots to stay not out on 77 off 65. Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Hardie’s knocks of 30 and 44 respectively helped Australia go past the 300-run mark. Archer picked up two wickets while Brydon Carse, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone got one scalp apiece.
Brook, Jacks take charge for England
England found themselves in all sorts of trouble after being reduced to 11 for two in three overs. Mitchell Starc dismissed Phil Salt and Ben Duckett to put Australia’s arch-rivals under immense pressure. Starc also went past Mitchell Johnson to become the fourth-highest wicket-taker for Australia in Men’s ODIs. Only Shane Warne, Brett Lee and Glenn McGrath are above him.
Once Jacks and Brook came together, England did not look back. Jacks raced his way to scoring 84 off 82 with nine fours and a six before Green removed him. But Brook would go on to notch his hundred off 87 balls. The English skipper went on to stay unbeaten on 110 off 94 with 13 fours and two sixes.
Jamie Smith fell cheaply, but Liam Livingstone, who recently became the No.1 all-rounder in T20Is, did not let pressure build on the home team. The right-hander played a 33-run cameo of 22 balls with three sixes. Once rain stopped play with 51 runs off 74 balls, England were above the DLS par score.