Jos Buttler leaps in the air after scoring his fifth ODI century
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
England wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler struck a dazzling hundred to not only lead his side to a 16-run win over Australia in the third ODI in Sydney, but also hand them an unassailable 3-0 series lead.
For Australia, this marked the first time in history when they have lost the first three games of an ODI series on home soil.
Electing to bowl first, Australia got their first breakthrough in the seventh over when England opener Jason Roy was caught by Aaron Finch at extra cover off the bowling of Pat Cummins for 19.
Alex Hales failed to have an impact with the bat as he was caught by Adam Zampa at mid-on off the bowling of Marcus Stoinis for one run.
Jonny Bairstow and captain Joe Root added 45 runs to England’s score before Bairstow was clean bowled by Zampa for 39.
Root went on to make 27 before he was cleaned up by Josh Hazlewood, but captain Eoin Morgan and Buttler stabilised the innings with a 65-run partnership.
Morgan ended up making 41 before he was caught behind off the bowling of Hazlewood, while Moeen Ali had his stumps rattled by Mitchell Marsh after making six runs.
However, Buttler and Chris Woakes ensured England concluded their innings on a high as they amassed an unbeaten 113-run partnership, during which Buttler brought up his hundred off the last ball of the innings and Woakes his fifty.
Chris Woakes scored his third ODI fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Buttler finished on 100 off, while Woakes remained undefeated on 53 off 36 deliveries, which included five boundaries and two sixes.
Thanks to Buttler and Woakes, England finished on 302/6 off their 50 overs.
Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Zampa, Cummins, Stoinis and Marsh chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 303 to win, Australia got off to a poor start as opener David Warner was caught by Hales at extra cover off the bowling of Woakes for eight runs.
Cameron White didn’t fare much better as he was caught behind off the bowling of Mark Wood for 17.
Finch and captain Steve Smith steadied things with a 69-run partnership, during which Finch brought up his half-century.
WHACK! Finch goes large and it's put down in the crowd! https://t.co/z9e11uxH7G #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/5cx1HmqOju
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 21, 2018
However, he couldn’t go on to make his third successive ODI century as he was given out lbw off the bowling of Adil Rashid for 62, which came off 53 balls and included three boundaries and three sixes.
Finch opted to review the decision, but it didn’t go in his favour as replays showed that the ball was pitching in line and clipping leg stump.
Smith and Marsh kept the runs flowing with a 68-run stand before Smith was caught behind off the bowling of Wood for 45.
Marsh proceeded to score 55 off 66 balls, which included four boundaries, before he was caught by Hales at long-on off the bowling of Rashid.
Mitchell Marsh struck his 11th half-century in ODI cricket
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Even though Stoinis and Tim Paine forged a 74-run partnership, it proved futile as Australia ended up falling short of their target.
Stoinis was dismissed by Woakes for 56 off 43 balls, which included three boundaries and two sixes, while Paine remained undefeated on 31.
Marcus Stoinis made his third ODI fifty
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Wood, Woakes and Rashid claimed two wickets each.
Smith was gutted to have lost again, and said: “Yeah, disappointing tonight, I thought the way we bowled in the first 45 overs was good, but Jos played exceptionally well, Woakesy too, but we bowled poorly at the end, can’t do that to a guy like Jos.
We were chasing probably 30 too many, batted well but not enough to get over the line. [Dismissal?] It got given out, so I had to get off the field, wasn’t hitting it very well anyway, gave some other guys a chance and they almost got us home.
“[Stoinis?] He’s a powerful guy, a real positive. Our one-day cricket hasn’t been up to scratch, we’ve got to find ways to win against quality opposition. [Adelaide for Australia Day, then new stadium in Perth] Two great days, hopefully two great occasions – hopefully the crowds turn up and we can put on a show.”
Morgan was delighted to have sealed the series, and said: “So proud of the guys today, Jos was probably the the difference between the sides. On a two-paced wicket, he paced it to perfection, played the anchor until about five or six overs out. We thought 300 was competitive, to have a hammer blow with one of the quicks going down hurt us a lot actually.
“This is one of the best wins from this group. With our bowling efforts, everybody was required to give a bit extra and everyone did. With the ball we were outstanding. [Rest of series?] Hopefully two more wins, we’re going to play our strongest possible XI.”
Buttler was named Man of the Match, and said: “Great win, probably the best we’ve had. Had to find a bowler, Root bowling Liam Plunkett’s overs, guys kept putting in performances. We’ve championed this way of playing, even if you lose wickets. Chris and I tried to push on, we were looking at 270 but we had a couple of good overs. [Innings?] Against Cummins, Starc, etc it was very special.”