Australia defeated England by 59 runs in the first One-day International of the five-match series at Rose Bowl, Southampton late last night. It was a dominating performance by the World Champions who looked in trouble at one stage but came strongly to win the match. The bowlers did a great job of restricting the England batsmen.
Chasing a huge total of 306, the England openers Jason Roy and Alex Hales gave the team a great start. Both of them put 50 for the first wicket in 7.4 over’s. At the end of 10 over’s England was 60 for0. Jason Roy completed his maiden half century before Alex Hales was dismissed for 22. Jason Roy, along withJames Taylor, put 42 for the second wicket before Roy was dismissed for a well-made 67.
Eoin Morgan the captain came and put 30 runs for the third wicket before James Taylor was out for 49. Ben Stokes innings was unconvincing. At the end of 30 over’s England was 164 for 3. It was when Mitchell Starc came into the attack and took the wicket of Ben Stokes. 20 runs later, Eoin Morgan was dismissed for 38 leaving England in trouble at 192 for 5. After this 2 wickets fell in quick succession of Buttler and Woakes.
Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid tried to build an innings, but Australia had other ideas. England was bowled out for 246 in 45.3 over are giving Australia a 59 runs victory. Starc, Coulter-Nile, Cummins and Watson picked 2 wickets each while Glenn Maxwell and Marsh picked 1 wicket each.
Australia won the toss and elected to bat. The openers Joe Burns and David Warner began off to a good start. Both of them put pressure on the opening bowlers by hitting the bad balls away for fours. Warner and Joe Burns put 50 runs for the first wicket stand in 8.5 overs as the England bowlers looked out of sorts. At the end of 14 overs, Australia were 76 for 0 and it was when England brought Adil Rashid and soon Rashid picked the wicket of Joe Burns for 44.
After the loss of Joe Burns, the captain Steve Smith joined David Warner. David Warner completed his half-century off 57 balls and put on 56 runs for the second wicket before Warner was dismissed by Adil Rashid for 59. At the end of 30 overs, Australia were 155 for 2. Geroge Bailey and Steve Smith put 31 for the third wicket before Smith was caught by Stokes off Rashid. Bailey, Maxwell and Shane Watson were dismissed in the space of 15 runs and it left Australia in trouble at 193 for 6.
Then Wade and Mitchell Marsh slowly began to steady the innings and played some excellent shots. Both of them counter-attacked the England bowlers. Mathew Wade completed his half century and Mitchell Marsh too gave the very hand. Both of them put 112 runs in 13 over’s and helped Australia to reach a competitive total of 305 for 6 in 50 over’s. Mathew Wade remained not out on 71 off 50 balls and Marsh not out on 40 off 34 balls. The pick of bowlers for England was Rashid taking 4 wickets.
With this Australia lead the 5-match ODI series 1-0 and the second match will take place at Lords on 5th September. Matthew Wade was named the Man of the Match.