Published: Feb 01, 2015, 03:56 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 02, 2015, 01:07 AM (IST)
Australia clinched the tri-series by beating England by a comprehensive margin of 112 runs in the final at Perth. England had their moments on the field when they put Australia in to bat, but some lower order resistance ensured that they put up 278 on the board. In reply, Mitchell Johnson tore apart the top order and the others contributed in England’s downfall.
England started off well as they had the dangerous Aaron Finch out in the first over. Within the first 20, England had snared three with James Anderson and Stuart Broad doing most of the damage. At 60 for four, Australia were in trouble when Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Marsh came together. Their 140-run stand helped Australia recover and took them past 200.
Maxwell played a good hand in curbing his natural instinct. He was calm to begin with and knocked it around with the straight bat. As the innings progressed, he unleashed his array of strokes, which included the reverse-sweep against the fast-bowlers. He was ultimately dismissed for 95, missing out on a maiden ton yet again. In comparison, Marsh played second fiddle but his 60 was as crucial if not more.
But perhaps the knockout blow came at the end. Australia had lost their set batsmen and Brad Haddin when James Faulkner walked in. Showing good finishing skills, he smashed a 50 off 24 balls, which included a 24-run penultimate over. He also hit a six off the last ball of the innings to take some momentum into the break.
Australia were all over England from the beginning of their run-chase. In form Ian Bell was dismissed early and then Johnson snared James Taylor, Moeen Ali and Eoin Morgan in no time. From there on, England did not have a prayer. There was a brief fight from Jos Buttler and Ravi Bopara but it was too tall a task. Once Buttler was dismissed, the result was a foregone conclusion.
Maxwell was in the thick of things with the ball as well. He was on a hat-trick when he dismissed Buttler and Chris Woakes off consecutive balls. But, he ultimately finished with four wickets. What a message Australia have sent before the ICC World Cup 2015.
Brief scores:
Australia 278 for 8 in 50 overs (Glenn Maxwell 95, Mitchell Marsh 60, James Faulkner 50*; James Anderson 2 for 38, Stuart Broad 3 for 55) beat England 166 in 39.1 overs (Ravi Bopara 33; Mitchell Johnson 3 for 27, Glenn Maxwell 4 for 46) by 112 runs.
Man of the Match: Glenn Maxwell.
Man of the Series: Mitchell Starc.
