Aus leave England in a spin in ODI decider

Duckett scores dazzling hundred as hosts are dismissed for 309.


Afp September 30, 2024
PHOTO: AFP

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BRISTOL:

Travis Head produced his best bowling figures in one-day internationals as Australia fought back to dismiss England for 309 in the series decider at Bristol on Sunday following a hundred by Ben Duckett.

With the five-match contest level at 2-2, England were set for a huge total at 202-2 in the 25th over as Duckett (107) and skipper Harry Brook (72) targeted the short straight boundaries during a century stand.

But slow bowling proved England's undoing as they lost their last eight wickets for 107 runs.

Part-time spinner Head took 4-28, with wicketkeeper Josh Inglis completing a fine stumping and holding two good catches up to the stumps.

But Adil Rashid (36) struck successive boundaries off ODI debutant left-arm spinner Cooper Connolly to take England past 300 before he was last man out when caught in the deep off Head.

Brook's maiden ODI and match-winning century at Chester-le-Street on Tuesday helped reduce the deficit to 2-1 before the 25-year-old Yorkshireman made 87 as the hosts levelled things up with a colossal 186-run success at Lord's on Friday.

Australia captain Steven Smith, leading the side after Mitchell Marsh was ruled out by soreness, won the toss only for Phil Salt to drive the first ball of the match, from Mitchell Starc for four.

Salt was also severe on Aaron Hardie -- one of three changes from the Australia side who played at Lord's -- as he struck the paceman's first two deliveries for six.

Hardie, however, ended Salt's rapid 27-ball 45 when a drive over point was well caught by Marnus Labuschagne.

Hardie then bowled Will Jacks for a duck with an excellent off-cutter.

Brook audaciously scooped fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for four.

It was the start of a slump that resulted in three wickets lost for 14 runs, with Liam Livingstone, who made a stunning 62 not out at Lord's, caught behind for a duck off Zampa's leg-break on a pitch taking turn.

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