England have recovered from the shock defeat against Scotland to once again outclass Australia in the 50-over format. The Aussies, after suffering an ODI-series defeat in their own backyard, have failed to show any sign of resurgence in the away series against the no. 1 ranked ODI team.

The series-opener has revealed the leaks in the Aussie batting line-up, which were created following the ouster of two of their most prolific batters. However, there were positives for the Aussies in the game as Glenn Maxwell offered a glimpse of form when the need arose and despite getting bundled out for a below par score, their pace quartet also tried to make sure that the visitors do not capitulate effortlessly.

Batting first, Australia put up a poor performance and kept losing wickets at regular intervals with an 84-run stand between Maxwell and Ashton Agar offering them a sigh of relief in the middle. Apart from a 62-run knock by Maxwell alongside 40 runs from Agar, no batsmen were able to make their mark.

Australia were all out on 214 with three overs to spare. Moeen Ali and Liam Plunkett bagged three wickets each. Adil Rashid also took two wickets as the Aussie batters struggled against the spinners. David Wiley and Mark Wood too got one wicket apiece.

In reply, England were three down at 38 with Jonny Bairstow – who clubbed back-to-back centuries in the last three ODIs – scoring 28 of those runs. However, a 115-run partnership between Joe Root and Eoin Morgan restored the innings but England suffered a mini collapse following the dismissal of Morgan for 69 runs.

Root also returned to the pavilion after picking up his fifty and Jos Buttler and Moeen couldn’t manage to contribute enough runs before leaving the crease. Wiley. However, stood firm and played a much-needed innings of 35 runs while remaining not and eased England home.

Among the Aussie bowlers, Kane Richardson took one scalp while the rest of the Australian pace quartet got two wickets each, but that wasn’t enough to prevent England from getting past the finishing line by three wickets with six overs remaining.

England are leading the series 1-0 and will face the Kangaroos again in the second ODI on June 16. Australia, on the other hand, will have their work cut out against the clinical opponents as a lot of their key players are absent in the reformed team.

 

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