England crush Australia in 4th ODI to square the series 3-2
After explosive fifties from Harry Brook, Ben Duckett, and Liam Livingstone, and an outstanding performance by the bowlers, England thrashed Australia in the fourth ODI. In a rain-affected match reduced to 39 overs, England set a massive total of 312/5. In response, Australia collapsed, getting bowled out for just 126 in 24.4 overs, handing England a commanding 186-run victory. This win leveled the series at 2-2.
The match, played at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, saw Australia opting to bowl first after winning the toss. However, this decision backfired as England’s top-order batsmen wreaked havoc on the Australian bowlers. Particularly, Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, and Adam Zampa faced heavy punishment.
Harry Brook led the charge for England with a destructive knock, scoring 87 off 58 balls, including 11 fours and a six. Ben Duckett and Liam Livingstone also contributed significantly. Duckett scored 62 runs from 62 balls, while Livingstone blasted an unbeaten 63 off just 27 balls, smashing 7 sixes and 2 fours.
Among Australia's bowlers, Mitchell Starc had a particularly tough outing, conceding 70 runs in 8 overs without taking a wicket. Sean Abbott also struggled, giving away 62 runs in 7 overs. Adam Zampa was the only bowler to make an impact, taking 2 wickets for 66 runs in his 8 overs. Mitchell Marsh and Josh Hazlewood picked up a wicket each.
Australia’s batting lineup crumbled like a deck of cards in response to England's formidable total. Although Travis Head (34) and Mitchell Marsh (27) gave a rapid start playing several explosive shots , their dismissals triggered a collapse. Carse bowed Head with a fuller ball while Archer bowling at rapid speed and looking in great rhytm bowled Mitch Marsh with a brilliant delivery that moved away to beat the outside edge and hit off stump. Smith , Inglis, Labuschagne, Maxwell all fell in a heap and Australia rapidly moved towards a huge defeat . On the bowling front, England’s Matthew Potts was the star, claiming 4 wickets for 38 runs in his 8 overs. Carse took 3 wickets and Jofra picked two under the lights at Lords.
Brydon Carse also made his mark, taking 3 wickets for 36 runs in 6 overs. Meanwhile, fast bowler Jofra Archer took 2 wickets, and Adil Rashid claimed 1. The final and deciding match of the series will now take place on Sunday, September 29.
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