Published: Feb 02, 2014, 04:03 PM (IST)
Edited: Feb 02, 2014, 04:27 PM (IST)
Feb 2, 2014
George Bailey’s power hitting lifted Australia to 195 for six in 20 overs against England in the third and final Twenty20 International at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Having wrapped up the series, thanks to captain Bailey’s pyrotechnics in the 2nd T20, the Australians made two changes in the line-up with T20 specialist Dan Christian and rookie Ben Cutting featuring in the line-up.
England handed pacer Chris Jordan his debut with their star performer in this miserable tour, also featuring Ben Stokes in the team.
Australia, determined to rub salt in their oldest rivals’ wounds by ensuring that they make a match out of the dead rubber in Sydney.
Aaron Finch started in his usual fifth gear that he has specially reserved for T20 cricket. He smashed Stokes for two sixes in an over and was looking good for a big innings, before skying Tim Bresnan to Stuart Broad at mid-on for 30.
Glenn Maxwell also stated with all guns blazing but perished soon after. The all-rounder could have consolidated to post a half-century but held out for 14 off the bowling of Stuart Broad.
Cameron White, playing a sheet anchor’s role till this point decided to cut loose with debutant Ben Cutting, who was also clearing the boundary with ease. England however found an unlikely source to break the partnership through Joe Root’s lollypop off-spinners, with the Englishman taking a fine caught and bowled chance of Cutting, who scored 29.
Jordan dismissed White soon after, nicking it down to the leg side to Jos Buttler for a patient 41 and England were applying the brakes to ensure that the visitors don’t get to a huge total.
That thought however went out of the window in the final over with Bailey leading the carnage yet again with a 26 run blitz off Jade Dernbach to lift Australia to 195 for six.
Brief scores:
Australia 195 for 6 in 20 overs (George Bailey 49*, Cameron White 41, Ben Cutting 29; Stuart Broad 3 for 36) vs England.
