25 overs England 3 for 116 (Bell 60*, Morgan 15*) v Australia
A solid start from England was undermined by the unexpected figure of Glenn Maxwell and the more common sight of Mitchell Johnson causing problems. After an opening stand of 57, three wickets fell for 21 as the innings stumbled to 3 for 116 at the midway mark although Ian Bell provided a unbeaten half-century.
For a moment it appeared things had got worse for England when Eoin Morgan, on 1, picked out deep midwicket against Michael Clarke, but Morgan had astutely spotted that there were one too many fielders outside the ring and, as the catch was held, informed the umpire Kumar Dharmasena who checked and then called no-ball.
After winning another toss, Alastair Cook managed to survive the opening over for the first time in three matches and following a cautious start he and Bell began to the lift the tempo as Nathan Coulter-Nile's first two overs cost 15. Bell struggled with his timing and twice chipped shots just over the in-field but the fifty stand was raised in the 10th over.
Joe Root's innings was brief and difficult. Twice in consecutive deliveries against Johnson - who had been immediately recalled to the attack - he spooned drives into the off side which fell short of fielders. But Johnson then did the work all himself next ball when Root was horribly late on one that ducked back in. Root had barely brought the bat down when the ball thudded into his pad and it was a desperate use of England's review.
Gary Ballance came into the match with consecutive half-centuries but in an attempt to impose himself on Maxwell he advanced so far down the pitch that Brad Haddin had time to recover from a fumble to complete the stumping.
Post a Comment