T20 Tri-series 3rd Match: Richardson leads the way as Australia book spot in final

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Kane Richardson three wickets Australia qualify T20 tri-series final England Melbourne cricket

Kane Richardson was named Man of the Match for his three-wicket haul

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia pace bowler Kane Richardson took three wickets as his side waltzed their way to a seven-wicket win over England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

Choosing to bowl first, Australia got their first breakthrough on the eighth ball of the match as England opener Alex Hales was caught by Aaron Finch at mid-on off the bowling of Billy Stanlake for three runs.

Jason Roy was on his way back the very next ball as he was caught behind off the bowling of Richardson for eight runs.

Dawid Malan didn’t fare much better as he was brilliantly run out by Australia stand-in captain David Warner.

James Vince and Jos Buttler, who stood in as captain since Eoin Morgan was nursing an injury, managed to add 36 runs to the score before Vince was clean bowled by Andrew Tye for 21.

Buttler and Sam Billings managed to forge a 43-run partnership, but all their hard work was undone when Billings was caught by Warner at mid-off off the bowling of Stanlake for 29.

Even though David Willey fell for 10, Buttler went on to score 46 off 49 balls, which included three boundaries, as England finished on 137/7 off their 20 overs.

Richardson was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Stanlake took two and Tye chipped in with one.

Chasing 138 to win, Australia lost Warner on the fourth ball as he was caught behind off the bowling of Willey for two runs.

D’Arcy Short and Chris Lynn steadied things with a 49-run stand before Lynn was caught behind off the bowling of Chris Jordan for a 19-ball 31.

Short and Glenn Maxwell kept the runs flowing with a 65-run partnership before Maxwell, who scored 39, suffered the same fate as Lynn.

Aaron Finch came in and finished things off as he walloped a five-ball 20 to lead Australia to victory with 33 balls to spare.

Short, meanwhile, finished unbeaten on 36 off 33 balls, which included three boundaries and a six.

Jordan was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Willey claimed one.

Buttler was unimpressed with his side’s performance, and said: “Another poor performance, we didn’t quite soak up the pressure. It never felt like we had enough, the power of Australia proved too much. We haven’t performed to our abilities yet which is disappointing but we’ll look forward to New Zealand.”

Warner was thrilled that his side qualified for the final, and said: “The players have been in tremendous form and there are playing fearlessly. The wicket had a little bit in it, the way we executed was outstanding and the way the batsmen finished it off. Credit to the bowlers, they set their own fields. I love going over to New Zealand and we are looking forward to the challenge.”

Richardson was named Man of the Match, and said: “When you’ve got Ashton [Agar] and Marcus [Stoinis] bowling well it takes the pressure off. Everyone seems to know their roles.”

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