AUS VS ENG 2ND ODI

Right then, that is all we have from the second ODI of this three-match ODI series. Australia have taken an unassailable lead of 2-0 and would be looking to whitewash England at MCG. That game will be played on Tuesday, 22nd of November and will start at 8.50 am IST (3.20 am GMT). As you know, our coverage will start well in advance. So do join us for the same. Till then, it’s goodbye and cheers!

Josh Hazlewood, the skipper of Australia says that he is lucky with the players around him. Adds that they bowled really well and the batters did a pretty good job too. Mentions that it was nice feeling out there and he expects to play the next game even if Cummins comes back in. Ends by saying that it was a classy knock from Steven Smith.

Moeen Ali, the skipper of England says that they were in a good position with the bat but they lost wickets in quick succession and credits Australia for the way they played. Tells that they bowled well to pull things back in the first innings and the wicket got good to bat on later but they lost wickets and pressure got to them. Mentions that if one loses wickets regularly then it is very difficult to win. Hopes to win the final match at MCG and end the series on a positive note.

Mitchell Starc is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his four wickets! Mitchell Starc says that it is a nice to get the series win and they are looking forward to continue their form at the MCG as well. Adds that Smith was amazing with the bat and their batters gave them the platform to perform. Mentions that Zampa was excellent and he is the player they normally go to when under pressure. Ends by saying that he is happy with his performance and hopes that they can continue the momentum forward.

Time for the Presentation.

Earlier in the game, Australia managed to put together a healthy score on the board courtesy of fifties by Steven Smith, Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne and that total proved too much for the English team as the wicket had good turn and enough help for seamers to keep everyone interested. England bowlers were good at the death and Rashid was also brilliant with the ball. However, their batting line-up failed to adjust to the conditions and the wicket and that means that Australia are going into MCG with series already in their bag.

England, well, they have only themselves to blame here. The aggressive approach that has brought them so much success over the years have led to their downfall in this chase. They lost two wickets in the first over but Salt decided to not back away from playing his shots. However, that approach backfired and he lost his wicket in the 6th over. Vince and Billings then stood up and took England to a position where they were in with a great chance to win this one. However, both of them departed after scoring fifties and England started to lose their way quite quickly as wickets kept tumbling and they eventually were bowled out for just 208.

Australia started off with a bang with the ball as Starc got two wickets in the very first over. The stand-in skipper Josh Hazlewood then provided another breakthrough to restrict England to 34 for 3. However, they were put under the pump by the 122-run fourth wicket partnership between Billings and Vince. The match was slightly in favour of England at that time but Josh Hazlewood came up with a moment of brilliance and dismissed Vince to trigger a collapse. Zampa joined the act and picked three wickets in no time to shatter all the momentum that England had gained. Starc then did what he does best and knocked over some of the lower-order batters as he finished with four wickets while Zampa also took four wickets to cap off a dominating win.

Australia have wrapped up the series with a comfortable victory here at SCG. However, it was not one-way traffic by any stretch of the imagination and at one time, England were looking all set to chase the total down. Australian bowlers though showed some great character under pressure and that would be the most pleasing aspect of this win.

OUT! LBW! Adam Zampa gets the final wicket and that is that! He loops this one up, on middle and leg, Liam Dawson goes for the sweep, but misses and gets hit on his boots on the full. There is an appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger. However, Liam Dawson takes the review. The Snicko shows no bat involved and Ball Tracking shows that wickets is umpire's call as the ball is clipping the leg stump. It is all over for England. AUSTRALIA WIN BY 72 RUNS AND SEAL THE SERIES 2-0.

Tossed up and around off, Adam Zampa guides it towards point.

Flighted, full and on off, Liam Dawson uses his feet and pushes it towards covers.

Floated, full and on off, Liam Dawson blocks it out.

Darts this one full and down the leg side, Liam Dawson misses his sweep and Alex Carey behind the stumps fails to collect it as the ball deflect off his pads towards third man. Two runs taken and it is called a wide.

Tossed up, full and on off, Liam Dawson reverse-sweeps it towards third man for a couple of runs.

Maiden over! This is full and on middle, angling in, Adil Rashid blocks it to the leg side. England need 78 runs in 72 balls with one wicket remaining.

Mitchell Starc nails the yorker this time, on middle, angling in, Adil Rashid manages to keep it out.