A late partnership between Matthew Wade and Mitch Marsh made the difference in Australia’s victory against England at the Ageas Bowl.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat, a first-innings score of around 320 being considered a good total on this wicket
Joe Burns and David Warner got off to a good start, putting on 76 runs for the first wicket.
With Burns out for 44, Steve Smith came on and continued building with Warner, until Warner got out on 59, with Australia on 2-133 in the 27th over.
Smith got out on 44 as well, mis-hitting a full toss to deep midwicket, caught by Ben Stokes. Australia stagnated for a period, losing three wickets for around 30 runs.
The fall of Shane Watson, run out during a mix-up with Wade, brought Mitch Marsh to the crease, and Australia was looking in trouble at 6-193 from 37 overs.
It was Wade and Marsh who brought Australia’s innings back from the brink, bringing the final total to 6-305 at the end of the 50 overs. Adil Rashid was the pick of the English bowlers, taking 4-59 from his 10 overs.
England got off to a quick start, putting on 70 in just over 10 overs. Two 40-run partnerships were made for the following two wickets, Jason Roy out for 67 and James Taylor out for 49.
This had England 3-152 just past the halfway mark in the innings, and seemed to be on top, with Eoin Morgan at the wicket and Moeen Ali yet to come out. Yet Stokes fell cheaply and so did Morgan, out for 13 and 38 respectively.
Nathan Coulter-Nile dealt serious damage to England’s chase, taking the wickets of Jos Buttler and Chris Woakes in one over, and leaving England in serious trouble at 7-194 in the 37th over.
Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali started to bring back hope for England’s run chase, putting on a quick 25 runs before Rashid got caught behind off Mitchell Starc, out for 11.
England’s fate looked sealed when Ali fell shortly afterwards for 17, a thick top-edge dropping into Pat Cummins’ hands just outside the ring at midwicket. Steven Finn was the final wicket England lost, bowled by Cummins and sealing Australia’s win by 59 runs.
Wickets were spread out pretty evenly between the Australian bowlers; Watson, Starc, Cummins and Coulter-Nile each picking up two wickets, with Maxwell and Mitch Marsh picking up one each.
Bearfax
Guest
I agree Bert. Its chancy. But then I look at a couple of other players who had dual responsibilities and how they improved by specialising. Steve Waugh in particular but more recent Carters. Wade? He averages just over 40 in first class batting at age 27 and though that's not outstanding, its better than some of the players we've had in the test sides of late. Without the extra burden and concentrating on his batting just might send his averages up closer to 50. I dont think he's going to get back into the test side with Neville and Whiteman on the rise. Worth a thought.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
His keeping still looks heavy-handed but we all know that's not why he's picked.
Bert
Guest
That's a tricky one. If he gives up the keeping and concentrates solely on his batting would he match it with the likes of Lynn, Khawaja,Bancroft etc.. pushing for a vacant spot in the Test/ODI team? He's probably more likely to gain National selection with 2 strings to his bow imo.
Bearfax
Guest
I'm beginning to think Wade may be better off dropping his keeping role and just stick to his batting. I suspect if he concentrated on that role he could end up being one of our very best test batsmen in the next decade.
Bert
Guest
Wade has worked on his keeping and batting since loosing his spot. His batting in particular has gone to a new level. He's becoming a much more rounded player has improved significantly against slow bowling. He's always been a good player against pace and I thought suited to opening in ODI's but has shown that he is equally as effective in the middle order.