ODI cricket: Australia’s middle order collapses in loss to England

Aaron Finch and Marnus Labuschagne seemed to have everything in control for Australia as they chased a catachable England total – but the collapse that followed had to be seen to be believed.

Jofra Archer starred as world champions England staged a stunning fightback to beat Australia by 24 runs in the second one-day international at Old Trafford this morning.

Australia, cruising to a modest victory target of 232, were dismissed for 207 as England levelled this three-match series at 1-1.

Australia were in command at 144-2, but they lost four wickets for three runs in 21 balls – including captain Aaron Finch for a well-made 73 – to be 147-6, the new-ball duo of Chris Woakes (3-32) and Archer (3-34) returning to do the damage.

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And when left-arm paceman Sam Curran, recalled alongside brother Tom, took two wickets in two balls to remove Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, after Woakes and Archer had completed their maximum 10-over stints, Australia were 166-8.

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Mitchell Marsh is bowled by Jofra Archer Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Sam Curran then had Adam Zampa caught at mid-off from a well-disguised slower ball, to leave Australia on the brink of an extraordinary defeat at 176-9.

Leg-spinner Adil Rashid ended the match with eight balls to spare when he had Alex Carey stumped by Jos Buttler.

Earlier Australia’s attack, with left-armer Starc (2-28) and Josh Hazlewood (1-27) once more setting the tone, restricted England to 231-9.

Adam Zampa took an impressive 3-36 from a maximum 10 overs to follow the leg-spinner’s 4-55 during Australia’s 19-run win on Friday.

England captain Eoin Morgan top-scored with 42 but could not prevent his side slumping to 149-8 before a ninth-wicket stand of 76 between Tom Curran (37) and Rashid (35 not out) kept the hosts in the game.

Archer strikes at Aussie hearts

England desperately needed early wickets and Archer obliged when he had David Warner caught behind for just six off a 91.1 mph delivery -- the fourth time the left-handed opener had fallen to the fast bowler in as many international innings this tour.

Marcus Stoinis was again in at number three, with star batsman Steve Smith omitted after missing Friday’s match with a head injury suffered batting in the nets.

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But Stoinis was left powerless by fast bowler Archer’s superbly straight and rapid bouncer that got the all-rounder in a tangle before the ball lobbed to Buttler.

Archer, having taking 2-22 in his initial five overs, was somewhat surprisingly removed from the attack by Morgan.

An increasingly assertive Finch, hit on the helmet by an Archer bouncer, slammed Rashid for six on his way to a 66-ball fifty.

Marnus Labuschagne (48) gave his skipper sound support in a third-wicket stand of 107 before he was lbw on review to Woakes.

Jofra Archer celebrates after bowling Mitchell Marsh. Picture: Stu Forster/Getty Images

Archer then bowled Mitchell Marsh before Woakes cleaned up Finch and Glenn Maxwell.

Morgan, having called for England to play on the kind of slow pitches they can expect when the next T20 and 50-over World Cups are staged in India, saw his top-order struggle on a slightly sluggish surface after he won the toss on a sunny afternoon.

Starc struck an early blow when he had Jonny Bairstow caught behind for a duck. Jason Roy hit four fours in his 21 before he was run out by Stoinis’ direct hit from cover as Test captain Joe Root set off for a risky single.

Root, who struggled to make 39 off 73 balls and he was out when he edged Zampa to Finch at slip.

Finch recalled Cummins and then saw the paceman snare England dangerman Buttler lbw for just three.

Zampa removed Morgan lbw on review and then had Sam Billings, fresh from his maiden ODI hundred on Friday, chopping on for eight.

– AFP

Originally published as ODI cricket: Australia’s middle order collapses in loss to England