Monday, December 23, 2024

England vs Australia: Hosts’ batters blown away as tourists take 2-0 lead

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England fell 2-0 down in the one-day international series against Australia as their batting wilted in the second match at Headingley.

Having dismissed the tourists for 270, England’s top order was blown away by Australia’s high-class pace bowling attack in a comprehensive 68-run defeat.

Will Jacks and Liam Livingstone made first-ball ducks and Harry Brook only four in his second match as England’s stand-in captain.

Youngsters Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell attempted a rebuild from 65-5 until Bethell looped a catch to depart for 25.

Smith continued to 49 but clipped Josh Hazlewood, who was superb alongside fellow returning quick Mitchell Starc, to mid-wicket and England were seven down still 112 adrift.

Adil Rashid and Brydon Carse prolonged the game with 27 and 26 respectively, but by the time the hosts were bowled out for 202 many in the stands had already gone home.

Australia were grateful for Alex Carey’s 74, which dragged them from 161-6 to what proved a competitive, if chaseable, total.

Carey, having been booed to the crease for his role in last summer’s Ashes stumping of Jonny Bairstow, crucially put on 49 with Hazlewood.

Australia can now clinch the five-match series with victory in the third ODI at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday.

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