Tom Banton and Gus Atkinson emerged as the key figures in a dominant 135-run victory for England, leveling the three-match ODI series at 1-1. England, invited to bat first, posted a commanding 355 for six, marking the highest total ever recorded by a touring side on Australian soil. While Adil Rashid, their middle overs maestro for the past 11 years, was once again ferrying drinks, england somehow failed to defend 429 during their recent tri-series blowout in Pakistan.
Banton was the anchor of the innings, striking a sublime 121 from just 99 deliveries. While captain Harry Brook fell early for five, Joe Root contributed a fluent 62 before departing. The momentum continued with Jordan Cox, who hit a refined 67 off 49 balls, and Will Jacks, who remained unbeaten on 54 from 40 deliveries. Atkinson provided a powerful finish by clearing the ropes with late sixes. Recollections of this second one-day international are unlikely to differ, as much as the sandpaper soap opera continued to deal in alternative facts on Sunday. Not that it was a done deal at the halfway stage. Clearly, but Banton’s second century since breaking back into the side in the summer is certainly a positive, they are far from the finished product. After shaking off an early blow to the head from Spencer Johnson, Banton carved fours through extra cover and sent four sixes over the Adelaide Oval’s short square boundaries. His 49-ball 67 timed to perfection and featuring one absurd reverse-scooped four when down on both knees, cox in particular showed what was possible with a patient start. Bowled for five trying to ramp Riley Meredith, will have done little to change his reputation in this particular part of the world, the captain’s dismissal. While Atkinson cracked a couple of late sixes, jacks similarly built towards a climax with an unbeaten 54 from 40 balls. While Atkinson was all waspish straight lines aided by nip and carry, Baker was getting late outswing.
In response, Australia struggled significantly against England’s bowling attack. Atkinson initiated a clinical new-ball burst, removing Travis Head, Cooper Connolly, and Josh Inglis early. Sonny Baker, recalled to the side, also made an impact by dismissing Mitch Marsh for two, supported by two sharp catches in the slips from Root. As well as being preferred to Jofra Archer up top, the youngster’s removal of the in-form Mitch Marsh for two – one of two excellent slip catches by Root – justified his ousting Jamie Overton from the XI.
Although Australia suffered a collapse that left them at 29 for four, Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw attempted a recovery with a 98-run partnership. From 29 for four the hosts rallied through half-centuries from Cameron Green and Matt Renshaw yet still finished well short of the target. Before the pair rebuilt with a 98-run stand that briefly raised Australian hopes, both Renshaw and Green profited from early lives as England’s hands went from adhesive to teflon.
Their resistance was halted when Liam Dawson trapped Renshaw lbw. Sam Curran later dismantled the lower order, bowling Jack Edwards with a slow delivery and dismissing Xavier Bartlett for a golden duck. Atkinson finished with impressive figures of four for 28, while Jofra Archer secured the final wicket by bowling Spencer Johnson with a yorker, sealing Australia’s total of 220 all out. While young Mahli Beardman, Australia’s six-wicket star 48 hours earlier, was rested, this surface was a world away from the bounce of Perth. Most eye-catching among the second collapse of four for 46 was Sam Curran bowling the giant Jack Edwards with a glacial slower ball before inflicting a first-baller for Xavier Bartlett.
England’s performance was notable for its efficiency, despite three drops in the field. The victory provides a critical boost for the tourists as they head to Hobart for Wednesday’s series decider. The match took place amidst ongoing scrutiny regarding historical Australian team controversies, which were highlighted publicly by Chadd Sayers prior to the start of play. The two teams now travel to Hobart for a decider on Wednesday and the kind of scenario that Brook’s side have been craving a year out from the World Cup. Another plus that England’s batting fired without Brook contributing much.
