- AUS vs ENG 3rd ODI: England stopped Australia’s record winning streak of 14 consecutive ODIs. But how did Australia lose despite scoring a good score of 304 runs?
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AUS vs ENG: 5 Reasons Why Australia Lost Against England:
England defeated Australia in the third ODI. Actually, Australia had to face defeat despite scoring 304 runs. In this way, England stopped Australia’s record winning streak of 14 consecutive ODIs. But how did Australia lose despite scoring a good score of 304 runs? We will look at the 5 major reasons for Australia’s defeat…
Kangaroos fly in the storm of Harry Brook and Will Jacks
It is believed that the target of 305 runs will not be easy for England. But Harry Brook and Will Jacks made it very easy with their batting. Harry Brook played an innings of 110 runs in 94 balls. At the same time, Will Jacks contributed 84 runs in 82 balls. Australian bowlers had no answer to Harry Brook and Will Jacks.
Rain spoiled Australia’s game!
When the game was halted due to rain, England’s score was 254 runs for 4 wickets in 37.4 overs. Since 4 batsmen of the host England had already returned to the pavilion. However, captain Harry Brook was batting aggressively for England. But if the rain had not interrupted and the game had been played for the full 50 overs, any result could have been possible.
Australia’s bowlers disappointed
Australia’s bowlers failed to perform as expected. Although Mitchell Starc and Cameron Green took 2-2 wickets each, both proved to be expensive. Apart from this, other bowlers did not support them. Josh Hazlewood, Sean Abbott, Aaron Hardy, Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short failed to take wickets.
Slow innings by top order batsmen!
Steve Smith did score 60 runs for Australia, but he faced 82 balls for this. Australia’s captain Mitchell Marsh played 38 balls to score 24 runs. While Marnus Labuschagne got out without scoring any runs. If Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh had scored runs quickly and Marnus Labuschagne had not returned to the pavilion cheaply, then the Kangaroo team would have been able to score more runs. If this had happened, then perhaps the result could have been different.
Superb batting by England
England’s opener Phil Salt may have returned to the pavilion without scoring any runs. Also, Ben Duckett got out after scoring 8 runs. But apart from this, Will Jacks, Harry Brook and Liam Livingstone displayed excellent batting. Due to which England stopped Australia’s streak of winning 14 consecutive ODIs.
In a thrilling encounter between Australia and England, the Aussies found themselves on the losing end, despite putting up an imposing total of 304 runs. The match, which was expected to favor Australia after their solid batting performance, took a surprising turn as England pulled off a brilliant chase. Here’s a look at the five big reasons behind Australia’s unexpected defeat.
1. Lack of Breakthroughs in the Powerplay
Australia’s bowling unit, renowned for its early breakthroughs, failed to capitalize on the powerplay overs. England’s opening batsmen took full advantage of the field restrictions, playing aggressive but calculated cricket. Despite early attempts to build pressure, Australia couldn’t find the crucial wickets to disrupt England’s chase. The inability to take early wickets allowed England’s top order to settle in, laying a strong foundation for their chase.
The Australian bowlers, including the pace attack, couldn’t generate enough movement or exploit the conditions, which gave England the upper hand in the early stages of the innings.
2. England’s Middle-Order Resilience
Even though Australia managed to dismiss some key players, England’s middle order stood firm. Players like Joe Root and Jos Buttler ensured that the momentum didn’t shift away after the loss of a few wickets. Root, in particular, played a well-anchored inning, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking.
Australia’s bowlers struggled to maintain consistent pressure in the middle overs, allowing England to build partnerships. A lack of sustained intensity, combined with misfired plans, made it difficult for the Aussies to stem the flow of runs.
3. Defensive Bowling Approach in Death Overs
Despite a decent performance for most of the innings, Australia’s bowlers faltered in the death overs. England required a steady run rate, and the Australian bowlers, instead of sticking to attacking lines and lengths, resorted to defensive tactics. They gave away too many boundary options, which made it easier for England to close in on the target.
This defensive approach not only leaked runs but also allowed England’s lower middle order to free their arms. A few overs of disciplined, tight bowling could have turned the tide, but Australia missed the opportunity to apply pressure at the most crucial juncture.
4. Fielding Lapses
Australia’s fielding, which is usually top-notch, was below par in this match. A couple of missed chances, including dropped catches and misfields, allowed ENG to gain the upper hand. In such high-pressure encounters, fielding plays a critical role in deciding the outcome. Australia’s failure to grab those key opportunities allowed England to stay alive in the game and steadily chase down the total.
The dropped catch of a set batter, in particular, proved costly as it came at a time when Australia needed to break a dangerous partnership. These small mistakes added up, tilting the balance in ENG ’s favor.
5. Over-Reliance on Star Bowlers
Australia has one of the best bowling line-ups in world cricket, but in this match, they seemed overly reliant on their star bowlers like Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc to deliver breakthroughs. While these bowlers did manage to take wickets, the supporting cast couldn’t provide the same level of impact.
ENG took advantage of Australia’s over-reliance on key bowlers, playing cautiously against the big names and attacking the lesser-experienced or out-of-form bowlers. This allowed England to keep the required run rate in check without exposing their batting lineup to undue risks. Australia’s inability to find a balanced attack contributed significantly to their defeat.
Conclusion: A Hard Lesson for Australia
Despite a strong batting performance that saw Australia post a challenging total of 304 runs, their bowling and fielding let them down. ENG, on the other hand, showed resilience, capitalizing on Australia’s lapses and maintaining composure throughout the chase.
Australia will need to revisit their strategy, especially in terms of utilizing their bowlers effectively and avoiding defensive tactics in crucial moments. Their fielding, too, must return to its sharp best if they want to bounce back in upcoming games.
This defeat, while surprising, serves as a reminder that cricket is a game of fine margins. For Australia, it’s back to the drawing board as they prepare to correct these mistakes and regain their dominant form.
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