Mitchell Starc admits a rusty Australia are showing signs of their six-month hiatus, having stumbled to Twenty20 series defeat with a six-wicket loss to England in Southampton.
Aaron Finch won the toss then watched his side crumble to 3-30 at the end of the fifth over, when Steve Smith took off for a single that was never there and was found well short of his ground by Eoin Morgan’s direct hit.
Finch top-scored with 40 as the tourists scrapped together a total of 7-157, but Jos Buttler made a mockery of that target in 18.5 overs.
Buttler crashed a career-best 77 not out, securing victory in authoritative fashion when he danced down the pitch and slapped a delivery from Adam Zampa back over the legspinner’s head for six.
The T20 series finale starts at 3am AEST on Wednesday, when Australia risk relinquishing their No.1 ranking in the shortest format.
“We were just that little bit off, which I think you get from playing cricket,” Starc said.
“It’s just that match intensity. International cricket is always going to be a step up.
“You can’t really simulate international matches just by having net sessions or centre wickets.
“It’s not an excuse. We’ve had plenty of preparation here.”
England are match-hardened at the end of their home summer, while Australia are coming off a coronavirus-enforced break dating back to March 14.
The tourists have so far used 11 of 21 players in their enlarged squad.
“We’ll sit down and talk about that (potential changes). Being not all that far out from a T20 World Cup, it’s important to keep drilling your basics and keep drilling your best XI,” Finch said.
Morgan, who was full of praise for Buttler plus express pacemen Jofra Archer and Mark Wood, suggested England’s best XI would pursue a 3-0 series win.
Morgan’s biggest concern was a dislocated finger he suffered while fielding, when Marcus Stoinis hammered a full toss straight at him at cover.
“It’s just sore … we’ll see how it is in the next couple of days,” Morgan said.
Finch was left cursing a middle-order collapse of 4-9 in the series opener, during which Australia eased to 1-124 after 14 overs then inexplicably capitulated in pursuit of 163.
England required 18 runs from their final two overs – a similar scenario to what confronted Australia two days earlier – but sixes from Moeen Ali and Buttler meant this match didn’t enter its final over.
Debate about whether Buttler is better suited to opening or finishing will continue.
The dashing keeper-batsman performed both roles against Australia, hitting 10 boundaries after snaffling edges offered by David Warner, Alex Carey and Glenn Maxwell.
“Jos is a world-class player and if you don’t get the guy who is opening out, you won’t win,” Finch said.
Cari
Roar Rookie
A word to explain how the name Broad's Bunny came about. The 'Barmy Army' put both hands on the side of their head and waggled their fingers as Warner walked off and it was taken up by the rest of the crowd.
60 internationals is a fair chunk more than most ever get. Carey is 29 years old.....how long are we going to waste on him? He's had an extended run at t20i, now it's time they moved on to someone else is will average more than 12 don't you say? Definitely a reason they dropped him from Vice Captaincy, makes him easier to drop
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
I said in the preview to the first game that I'd give them 2 games to get back into the swing of things. They've had that now so I'm hoping for an improved performance in game 3. Something without a middle order collapse would be good ;)
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
I heard Warner is keen to take on Broad with the white ball. He might be thinking a change of format means a change of fortune.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Buttler has played 250 internationals and won an ODI WC. Carey has played 60. Not a reasonable comparison. Buttler also has more time to impress opening than Carey at 7. Buttler certainly used his experience in that chase.
Cari
Roar Rookie
Good news for Australia, Butler won't be playing in the last 20 x 20 game but will be back for the 50 over games. Broad is over the moon as his Bunny is back for a second try.
congo
Roar Rookie
Labuschagne is Australia’s top 4 batsman. He should be in the T20, ODI and Test sides along with Smith, Finch and Warner. Maxwell and Carey are the best for their role (all rounder/wk). Cummins, Starc are the best of our bowlers. For the remaining 3 spots we can rotate players based on the ground, opposition & who is most in-form.
Cari
Roar Rookie
Don't be too disappointed at least Australia are getting some game time in. Knowing when cruise and when to attack is very important in any any short game format .Six hits please the crowd but carry a risk factor, deciding when and when not to use them and pace the game to win is vital.
BarmyFarmer
Roar Rookie
The fine lines of international cricket. Still in my opinion two very closely matched sides but losing that first game from such a dominant position clearly knocked the stuffing out of Australia and further boosted England's confidence. Momentum is a huge thing in sport and with the talent that England have in the limited overs format against what is clearly a rusty Aus batting lineup it's going to be a real challenge to swing back that balance.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
Australian batting line-up looked rusty last night due to a long six months break. They should try Labuschagne in the last match in place of Smith. If England can afford to drop Root from the T20I format, why not Australia can drop Smith?
Buttler is one hell of an ODI and T20 player for sure. He's so smart in these formats, molding his game to the situation. Definitely my first picked player in both of those formats. Look back to the ODI series against in Australia in 2018 when he carried England to a victory they had no right in winning, by 1 wicket in the end. Hes a freak, and he's still getting better. Carey isn't even in the same universe as Buttler at this stage, if he doesn't start performing real soon, Handscomb should be brought in for ODI/T20
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Underdone is the key, against a team which has had a healthy warmup. I do agree though, their plan and personnel needs tweaking.
Insult_2_Injury
Roar Rookie
Buttler gave a masterclass in how to set up and execute an innings. 25 off 24 as he coped with losing his opening partner and finished with red ink 77 from 54. Did what needed to be done with cricket shots with an over to spare, despite a collapse. Maybe there's a huge lesson there. 52 from 30 sounds impressive, but the 25 from 24 provided the grounding. Match awareness chasing a small achievable target.
Tigerbill44
Roar Guru
Aus batting isn't clicking.
dungerBob
Roar Rookie
Congrats to the poms. I didn't see the game but judging by the reports I've read it was a bit of a hammering. Credit where it's due, they are very good at the limited overs formats, and I feel we are still a step or two off the pace despite our recent successes. .. They may as well give Marnus a run now. I think we need his cool head in those middle overs. Anyway, onward and upward.
bowledover
Roar Rookie
This loss has the same feeling as the last odi losses in india. Aus seemed soft, underdone, unsure what it was trying to achieve.
Cari
Roar Rookie
Well that's the wrap with one game to play. Now our attention will turn to the 50 over games.