Australia seals series with comprehensive victory over England in second ODI

A terrifying new-ball spell from Mitchell Starc and another batting masterclass from Steve Smith helped Australia seal the series.

Australia has claimed an unassailable 2-0 lead in its ODI series against England, comprehensively defeating the arch rivals by 72 runs at the SCG on Saturday.

Steve Smith plundered a classy 94 (114) to help set a target of 281 before an explosive new-ball spell from Mitchell Starc demolished England's top order in front of 16,993 fans.

The reigning world champions suffered a late collapse in the run chase, rolled for 208 in less than 39 overs to set up a dead rubber in Melbourne next week.

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Josh Hazlewood greeted England skipper Moeen Ali at the coin toss, replacing the rested Pat Cummins as captain to become the 28th cricketer to lead Australia in men’s ODIs.

It sets up a unique blueprint for Australian captaincy ahead of next year's World Cup, developing a leadership group that can rotate the role if required.

"It was pretty exciting, and a little bit nerve-wracking," Hazlewood confessed after the win.

"I certainly enjoyed it."

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Australia lost both of its openers during the Powerplay, with David Warner and Travis Head departing cheaply to leave the hosts in a spot of bother at 2/43.

But Smith and Marnus Labuschagne combined for a 101-run partnership for the third wicket to revive the innings, their fourth century stand in 10 ODI knocks together.

Labuschagne (58 off 55 balls) fell victim to Adil Rashid’s spin in the 28th over, with Australian wicketkeeper Alex Carey stumped for a golden duck the following delivery.

Steve Smith of Australia. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

However, Smith continued on his merry way at the other end, bringing up a half-century in 70 deliveries - his fourth-consecutive 50-plus score in ODIs.

The 33-year-old and all-rounder Mitchell Marsh (50 off 58 balls) steadied the ship with a 90-run partnership for the fifth wicket, but the pair struggled to find the boundary rope during the middle overs.

The duo gradually picked up the tempo before Smith became Rashid’s third victim of the afternoon, slapping a slower delivery directly towards the long-off boundary rider.

Smith, who has averaged 67.87 in ODIs since January 2020, fell agonisingly short of bringing up an eighth international century at the SCG to equal the legendary Ricky Ponting.

England’s seamers bowled superbly at the death, conceding just two boundaries in the final five overs to help restrict Australia to 8/280.

Chris Woakes of England. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

England’s run chase got off to a horror start, with Starc hopping the white Kookaburra around corners and snaring two wickets in the first over.

Jason Roy gloved a delivery down the leg side before Adelaide centurion David Malan was knocked over by an absolute peach that smacked into the top of off stump.

“That could well be his finest first over in ODI cricket," former Australian spinner Kerry O'Keeffe said on Fox Cricket commentary.

According to the CricViz boffins, Starc was swinging the ball 2.2 degrees in the opening two overs, the most movement he’s ever found inside the first 12 deliveries of an ODI.

He also became the first bowler to take two wickets in the first over of an ODI innings on three occasions.

What a ball from Starc!!!!pic.twitter.com/9XBEa9VJOI

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) November 19, 2022

Wow. Outrageous over from Starc. Just ridiculous. #AUSvENG

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) November 19, 2022

"He's obviously a massive threat with that new ball when it's swinging like that," England batter James Vince told reporters in the post-match press conference.

"You have to try and keep that front pad out of the way and lay bat on it."

Hazlewood claimed his first wicket as Australian captain soon after, bowling Phil Salt to leave England reeling at 3/34 in the sixth over.

Big Bash League alumni Vince and Sam Billings then shifted momentum firmly back in England’s favour, combining for an entertaining 122-run partnership for the fourth wicket.

But Hazlewood returned to snare the crucial breakthrough for Australia, trapping Vince on the pads for 60 (72) - a desperate review couldn’t save the Englishman.

Adam Zampa of Australia. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa then ran through England’s middle order, taking three wickets in quick succession to put the hosts in a commanding position.

Zampa’s double-wicket maiden in the 31st over, which featured the game-changing dismissal of Billings, all but sealed victory for the Australians.

Starc then cleaned up the tail, removing Chris Woakes and David Willey to finish with figures of 4/47, his best ODI bowling performance of the year.

Zampa (4/45 from 9.5 overs) finished the job in the 39th over, removing all-rounder Liam Dawson for 20 to seal the match and the series.

The third and final ODI between Australia and England gets underway at the MCG on Tuesday afternoon, with the first ball scheduled for 2.20pm AEDT.