Aussies regain pride in low-scoring 3rd T20I against England

Australia managed to pull out a consolation win in the third and final T20I against England, as they beat the hosts by five wickets in a low scoring encounter at the Ageas Bowl, on Tuesday.

Put in to bat first, England lost their opener Tom Banton (2) early and made a pretty slow start as they scored just 33 runs in the powerplay. This is the lowest powerplay total by any team in the six T20I matches in England this summer.

Jos Buttler and Eoin Morgan’s absence were felt by the English team, as the hosts struggled throughout the innings and eventually managed a pretty low total of 145/6 at the end of 20 overs. Jonny Bairstow anchored the English innings scoring 55 runs off 44 deliveries, but it wasn’t the most fluent knock coming from Bairstow’s willow, as he did not find substantial support at the other end.

Coming out to chase a pretty low total, the Aussies got off to a blistering start, owing to some quick-fire knocks from Mathew Wade(14 of 19), Aaron Finch(39 of 26), and Marcus Stoinis (26 of 18) at the top, before a superb spell from Adil Rashid yielding three wickets turned the tide in the middle overs and gave the visitors a big scare.

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But, it was Mitchell Marsh, who was playing his first T20I since February, got Australia over the line by five wickets in the end with just three balls to spare scoring an unbeaten 39 of 36.

With England already having won the three-match series 2-0 on Sunday, the result of Tuesday’s match meant the Aussies could regain some pride in the series, but more importantly retain the World No.1 ranking in T20Is, which they had lost to England on Sunday when the hosts registered a six-wicket victory.

The teams will now move up to Manchester for the three-match ODI series starting Friday.

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SCORECARD

England – 145/6 (20/20 overs)

Australia – 146/5 (19.3/20 overs)

Player of the Match

Mitchell Marsh

Player of the Series

Jos Buttler

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