AUSTRALIA: Dawid Malan hit a fighting century to resurrect England’s innings, which at one stage was struggling at 118/5. His effort was in vain as the Australian batting performed exceptionally to outplay the inexperienced English bowling attack.
Australian batsmen never looked in trouble against English bowler
The newly crowned 2022 T20 World Cup champions, England, staged an incredible comeback, reviving their innings with flair. England started poorly, losing three wickets during the first powerplay as the Australian bowlers made the ball move in both directions.
Mitchell Starc (45/1) cleaned up Jason Roy (6 off 11 balls) with a beautiful inswinger after Pat Cummins (62/3) got Phil Salt (14 off 15 balls) caught at slips. Soon after, James Vince (5 off 6 balls) edged one to the wicketkeeper behind the stumps.
Sam Billings (17 off 22 balls) appeared to be in good touch, but Marcus Stoinis (23/1) dismissed him in his first over with a ball that bounced back and hit his middle stump.
While trying to hit Adam Zampa (55/3), Jos Buttler (29 off 34) holed out to long-off after a positive start. The centurion, Dawid Malan (134 off 128 balls), stood tall for England, who were reeling at 118/5 with five of their top six back in the hut.
He formed valuable partnerships With Liam Dawson (11 off 17 balls), Chris Jordan (14 off 18 balls), and David Willey (34 off 40 balls) as he perfectly timed his innings. The southpaw took very calculated risks and upped the ante gradually after his fifty to get to a memorable century.
Malan departed for 134, run out with less than five overs remaining. England finished with 287/9 thanks to a knock from Malan and essential contributions from Dawson, Jordan, and Willey.
In reply, Australia was off to a blazing start. It became apparent immediately that the target set by England was not enough. Australia’s opening stand demonstrated the English bowling attack’s lack of experience, which added 147 runs.
The opening duo of Travis Head (69 off 57 balls) and David Warner (86 off 84 balls) toyed with the English bowling attack in the powerplay overs. Head took on the opener role after Aaron Finch’s retirement. He batted well for his half-century.
Steve Smith (80* off 78 balls), who had visibly changed batting stance, came in to bat after Head’s wicket. Smith looked upbeat during his stay at the crease. He and Warner threatened to end the game much sooner, but a short ball dismissed Warner from David Willey (51/2).
Smith held the fort from one end, despite the left-arm seamer dismissing Marnus Labuschagne (4 off 6 balls) cheaply. Smith hit a boundary and six off successive balls in the 47th over to seal the match in his team’s favour.
The former Australian captain remained not out on 80, with Cameron Green (20 off 28 balls), whose cameo contributed to the 6-wicket victory with three overs remaining.
Also Read: Masterstroke from Ben Stokes Helps England Clinch the T20 World Cup Trophy
