Having won the first three matches, England were determined to carry on their excellent form and exact revenge for their Ashes defeat by whitewashing Australia in this ODI series.
Although, as it turned out, they weren’t that determined.
Here are the ratings for the fourth ODI between Australia and England.
Top order collapses
Grade: B-
With the ease of their first three victories at the forefront of their mind, England decided to make this fourth game a little more challenging for themselves. Their plan? To lose their first five wickets for just eight runs.
It was a daring plan and a remarkable scorecard. Any time that England fans waking up stupidly early in the morning on the other side of the planet are forced to struggle to decode which side of the score is wickets and which is runs is always a good thing.
Two wickets down for four runs early was good. 3/4 was better. But 5/8 was close to perfect. Because whichever way around it is, the score is sufficiently dreadful for bleary-eyed viewers to second-guess everything they know.
Lloyd Pope
Grade: B+
Those first five wickets were shared between Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins. Although, to be fair, England have struggled terribly with the bat at all levels ever since Lloyd Pope took the ball the other day. So the Under-19 flame-haired leg-spinning sensation must surely share some of the credit for the collapse.
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Pope’s talismanic off-field presence might have sapped England batting confidence all around the world. But it was Hazlewood and Cummins destroying them on the pitch. So much so that the Australian selectors must have felt pretty silly having selected bowlers other than that pair.
Although not as silly as Steve Smith felt when he started bowling those other bowlers, allowing England to stage a recovery.
Chris Woakes
Grade: A-
Because from 5/8, England eventually recovered to 196 all out. This total was thanks primarily to Chris Woakes, who made an impressive 78. He was finally caught by Glenn Maxwell, who surprised everybody by suddenly popping up in the outfield to snare a skied chance, despite not being part of the team.
Classic Maxwell. Even when he was omitted from the squad at the beginning of this series, you always had the sense he’d somehow have an impact at some point.
He’ll just be disappointed he didn’t contribute more while the series was alive. Something that Steve Smith would no doubt like him to work on during the South African Test series he won’t be playing.
After Woakes’ outstanding showing with the bat, the England all-rounder also chimed in with the ball, snaring the wicket of David Warner early, as Australia struggled in their chase.
It did make one wonder how well England would have gone had they selected Woakes for the Ashes.
Oh, sure, there’ll be some who’ll tell you that Woakes did, in fact, play for England during the Tests. But that’s crazy talk. I think we would have all noticed an England player displaying such a high level of skill.
Travis Head
Grade: B+
With Warner out early yet again, his average for the series fell to 14.5. In contrast, David Warner’s opening partner in the series averages 92.75. As a result, Warner must retain his spot, lest the logical concept of a ‘David Warner opening partner’ disappear, taking with it Australia’s most consistent batsman.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
That’s just common sense.
The David Warner opening partner for this match was Travis Head, who made 96. He held an otherwise shambolic innings together. With Warner gone, his next partner was Cameron White. But just as the White-Head partnership threatened to explode, Tom Curran managed to put the squeeze on. Disgusting stuff from all concerned.
After White came Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Marcus Stoinis, all of whom succumbed to the bowling of Adil Rashid. At 5/136, England were still, absurdly, a chance for victory.
Net run rates
Grade: D-
But not much of a chance. Because Head and Tim Paine combined to give Eoin Morgan head pain and guide Australia to 180 and within sight of victory. Despite Head being dismissed four short of his century and Paine then running out Pat Cummins for some reason, the Australians scrambled home with three wickets and several dozen head puns in hand.
The entire match was a perfect way to celebrate Australia Day. Assuming, that is, your standards of perfection are incredibly low.
More importantly, thanks to their frenzied batting that would otherwise have been completely without purpose, Australia had thirteen overs remaining when they secured the win. This ensured their net run rate was sufficient to qualify for the fifth and final match of the series to be held on Sunday.
They will face England.
marfu
Guest
I think you have clearly identified the problem areas in his captaincy style which need improvement even though he has probably had to think of himself as a one batting team from time to time and he has certainly not been helped by some ordinary performances by the selectors whose man management skills are also not up to necessary levels.
marfu
Guest
Author! Author!
Ozibatla
Guest
Haha yes that is comedy gold. Reminds me of seeing a female fan waving a banner showing her admiration for South Africas wicket keeper. It read - "I love de Kock"... Ohh dear the play on words is sometimes priceless.
Ozibatla
Guest
Yes this batting lineup is a concern. Finch and Warner firing is vital. Head is up and down. Marsh and Stoinis dont instill great confidence whilst they are trying to figure out their own games. Cameron White is over the hill. Tim Paine is still in the infancy of his international career game wise and the increasingly petulant, dummy spit Steve Smith is slow on the uptake that he is infact not Don Bradman contrary to the hyperbole from the Ch9 comm box. The elephant in the room that will eventually need to be adressed is Smiths demeanour as captain. This may appear to be a non-existent issue whilst the rose tainted glasses are fixed on. But let me assure you, that when things go south (and they invariably always do at some stage such is the cycle of professional sport) the buck will stop with the captain to an extent. Demonstrative reactions to misfields and dropped catches when you yourself have grassed half a dozen very gettable catches over the summer is hypocritical. A lack of faith shown to fringe players is unhealthy for the dressing room ie: Tye being dragged after 2 overs, Head bowling before Zampa. Airing dirty laundry in the public eye should always be taboo and doesnt benefit anyone long term (ignore the constructive criticism toned responses, Maxwell wouldve been ropable with Smiths comments). Not being as tactically astute as his predecessor Clarke or as widely reverred as a Ponting or a Steve Waugh, Smith is going to have to learn of self improvement whilst holding the so called "second most important job in Australia". Personally I think the players would "play"(in terms of unity) for David Warner more than Steve Smith but hey Im just another armchair critic who doesnt like what he sees in Smith. Graeme Smith wrote a good piece on Virat Kohli and how he might have to change his ways as captain going forward for India and I think alot of it applies to Steve Smith as well.
1st&10
Guest
Aus Batting is worse than the 86-87 side. At least that side had Dean Jones and AB
1st&10
Guest
Will Warner ever get dropped? Park cricketer and flat track bully at best Bradman even got dropped (once)
Dianne Andrews
Guest
Classic Maxwell, classic Dan.
Internal Fixation
Guest
Champagne comedy Why can’t Head and the South African keeper be on the same IPL team?
anon
Roar Pro
Smith over his last 10 innings has averaged 28 at a paltry 75 strike rate. Just not good enough. Big reason why Australia has lost 2 of the last 13. Even last night was an unconvincing chase that was harder than it should have been. Smith bats high up in the order where he's given time to put together big scores, unlike someone such as Maxwell who comes in late in the innings and expected to risk his wicket.
Dan Liebke
Expert
You and me both, Arcturus
Bob Sims
Guest
Australia playing England in the final ODI? Why? The series is as good as over, so why not some innovation? Let's have Australia play an Asian conglomerate side - surely there are enough suitable candidates playing BBL who can be lifted for a one-off? And maybe Smith and Warner can be given a well deserved rest - even though their contributions will be sorely missed!
Arcturus
Roar Rookie
A+ for you Dan. Head Pain, Davey Warner's batting partner, Australia qualifying for the 5th ODI. Spilt me cornflakes three times, I'm thankful there wasn't an anagram thrown in.