Allrounder James Faulkner inflicted more misery on hapless England by delivering a remarkable one-day victory for Australia at the Gabba on Friday.
With the tourists seemingly poised for their first win over Australia this summer, Faulkner smashed 69 runs off just 47 balls to chase down England’s 8-300 with one wicket and three balls to spare.
Australia appeared dead and buried when they lost Glenn Maxwell (54) and Ashes hero Brad Haddin (26) in the 35th over but with 30 needed off the final three overs, Faulkner launched an amazing display of hitting.
He belted consecutive sixes off Ben Stokes (1-74) in the 49th over and then smashed three fours in as many balls off the final Tim Bresnan over to get Australia home.
Faulkner and Clint McKay shared a 57-run last wicket stand, with McKay contributing two in what is the highest successful run chase in ODI history at the Brisbane venue.
“I knew I could do it deep down but it’s always nice to get the boys over the line,” Faulkner told the Nine Network.
The victory lifts Australia to a 2-0 lead in the five-game series.
Earlier, Eoin Morgan’s blistering 106 off 99 balls had looked like being a matchwinning innings.
Morgan begun slowly but belted his final 50 off just 24 balls as he combined with young wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler (49) in a 114-run, 68-delivery sixth-wicket stand which blew Australia away.
His sixth one-day hundred looked a long way off when he was caught at midwicket for one but then correctly pointed out to the umpires Michael Clarke’s delivery was a no-ball because Australia had one fielder too many outside the circle for a powerplay over.
That reprieve granted, Morgan first re-constructed England’s innings alongside Ian Bell (68) after they had lost three quick wickets and then delivered a stunning finish along with Buttler.
Australia’s chase began shakily with both openers falling to one-handed catches.
Aaron Finch, a century-maker in Australia’s game one victory, was snared by Gary Ballance off Chris Jordan’s (2-53) bowling for a duck before Jordan took a sensational right-handed grab off his own bowling from a David Warner (18) drive.
When Joe Root (2-46) took the wickets of Michael Clarke (17) and Marsh (55), the hosts looked done but members of England’s Test squad on the field must have feared the worst as Haddin combined with Glenn Maxwell to put on 80 in 66 balls.
But when both fell to Bresnan (2-64) the English could scent victory.
England captain Alastair Cook’s roar when he snared the catch to dismiss Haddin said a lot about how his summer has gone but another devastating psychological blow was still to come from Tasmanian Faulkner.
The tourists have only one day to recover with the third game to be played in Sydney on Sunday and there will be doubt over Morgan’s fitness after he limped off late in Australia’s innings with a calf problem.
Australia captain Clarke hailed Faulkner as the nation’s new “Michael Bevan” following his heroics and the 23-year-old said he’d revelled in the challenge of guiding his country home.
“The crowd was quite loud and I’ve been in that situation a fair few times being the all-rounder when you bat at the end and a lot of times I haven’t been successful and I’ve stuffed up the game,” he said.
“It was just nice to get the boys over the line this evening.”
Faulkner said while Australia understood England’s struggles there was still no sympathy for the tourists as they continue to hunt for their first international win on tour.
Morgan, who said both he and bowler Boyd Rankin (hamstring) will have to be assessed before Sunday’s match, said there would be a challenge for England to rouse themselves at the SCG.
“It is quite tough,” Morgan said.
“We were all over today’s game. Did a lot of things right. We let a good side come in at the end and allowed them to play.
“We’re as surprised as anybody at the result.”
Richard
Guest
Faulkner is proving he is out on his own in the one day format at the moment. He was bumped down the order as well!!!!! What is going on in the Australian one day team. Clarke playing games for his favorites and for his Cronies at channel Nine et al. So transparent!
soapit
Guest
was just saying watson doesnt really hold his place long term in bowling or batting alone.
Mits
Guest
Agreed, was hoping Faulkner would be bumped up the order too before the match with Marsh squeezed out, although credit must go to Shaun for a good 50. It's a pity Faulkner isn't in the top 7 as 1 x 100 and 3 x 50's in 14 innings at a strike rate over 120 speaks volumes of his batting ability. He can fill that big hitting all rounders position Lance Klusner made his own in 1999. Re all rounders, I think M Marsh is a long way off the pace to be in line for the Aussie set up. He seems too inconsistent with the bat and doesn't offer much variety with the ball. Would like to see him really dominate a domestic competition before he is considered for selection. Would have Henriques and probably Kane Richardson ahead of him for World Cup selection at this stage for the second/third all rounders position.
Raugeee
Guest
:)
Daffy
Guest
I'm sorry I went to bed early, I thought we were done like a dinner when the openers gave the poms such easy catching practice, I'm not an expert on the game, but It seems like Warner is a belter, and doesn't have the smarts or the finesse to play a thinking game, anyway, this whole season, how many times have the bowlers pulled us out of the poo with the bat as well as the ball, our so called " Batsmen " leave a lot to be desired.
JGK
Roar Guru
Well yes I am well aware that Haddin had a shed load of luck during the summer but he also played far more sensibly than he had for a number of years. Last night he was doing the right thing by picking up easy runs until he played that shot which was unnecessary in the circumstances. Anyway, it happens. Good to see Boof call it for the poor shot it was.
Nudge
Guest
If you watched the ashes closely, Haddin regularly played dare devil shots like last night. The difference was he got away with it and everyone said how good was that shot. Work it out JGK
Nudge
Guest
Exactly Nathan. I'm not totally against the english doing this though. World cricket at least needs a competitive english side. With out the ring ins they may struggle against the windies
Nathan
Guest
Incorrect. Would you say Boyd Rankin who was born in and has spent probably 25-27 of his 29 years in Ireland, is an Englishman? Kevin Pietersen is an Englishman, despite being a born and bred South African who lived in SA until past the age of 20? Of the current Australian team and thereabouts you'll find only Khawaja was born outside Australia, and he's lived here since he was 2 years old. I'm sorry, but that's just nonsense, Roarer. It's irrefutable that England is constantly fielding players of foreign origin, and that they most certainly are not "Englishmen".
aussie1st
Roar Pro
Before the match I would have pushed everyone up one instead of bringing Marsh in. But that won't happen after he made that 50. Amazing stuff by Faulkner, he is proving to be quite the big hitter. With Maxwell and Mitch Marsh we certainly have the depth for the all rounder spot.
Andrew
Guest
Watson in form, fully fit and not out LBW all the time would be number 1 in allrounder for Australia. Problem is currently he really is none of those. At best he is in my opinion better than Bailey at 6. Our problem is and has been for along time, who is our number 3???
JGK
Roar Guru
To be honest, it is a bit too coherent to be Johnno in disguise.
JGK
Roar Guru
Yeah. It was shades of pre-Ashes Haddin. Slightly worrying.
Sandy
Guest
Don't come here often then Raugeee?
Larney
Guest
Great innings by Faulkner. A great ODI innings doesn't justify dropping another that is performing well in that format.
soapit
Guest
poor fella
soapit
Guest
dont mind, the alternative is a player like morgan not being seen by anyone playing out his international career for ireland.
soapit
Guest
which of those applies to watson. and how many tests has he played?
Andrew
Guest
I want to agree in general but I think with Faulkner, he brings good all round skills rather than favour one or the other. Handy in all skills, and how deep down the order he bats at his 30 odd average. Most would want him in their team and last nights game helped his cause significantly. One thing I asked a few people tho was who is better Maxwell or Faulkner. I leant towards Maxwell, but not by much.
Nudge
Guest
If Faulkner is batting 6 or 7 in South Africa we better bowl them out for 150