ENGLAND VS AUSTRALIA, 3RD TEST, CHESTER-LE-STREET, 2024 : Harry Brook’s Magnificent Ton Made ODI Series Dreams Alive By 1-2 Against Australia .
Australia’s impressive 14-match unbeaten streak in ODI cricket has come to an end as England secured a 46-run victory in a rain-affected match. Chasing a target of 305, Mitchell Starc provided the hosts with an early advantage by dismissing openers Ben Duckett and Phil Salt using the new ball. Despite this setback, Will Jacks and Harry Brook steadied the innings with a vital 156-run partnership for the third wicket. Harry Brook’s Magnificent Ton Made ODI Series Dreams Alive By 1-2 Against Australia .
Jacks was dismissed after scoring 84 runs off 82 balls, yet skipper Harry Brook went on to achieve his maiden ODI century. By the time rain brought an early conclusion to the game, England had already established a significant lead over the required target. Additionally, Liam Livingstone remained unbeaten with an impressive 20-ball 33.
TOSS:
England won the toss and chose to bowl first.
TEAMS LINE UP:
England Squad:
Philip Salt, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Harry Brook (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Matthew Potts
Australia Squad:
Matthew Short, Mitchell Marsh (c), Steven Smith, Cameron Green, Marnus Labuschagne, Alex Carey (wk), Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Hardie, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood
AUSTRALIA:
Earlier in the match and missing their star opener Travis Head, Australia was put into bat first following England’s decision after winning the toss. The openers had minimal effect; however, Steve Smith kept Australia competitive with a sturdy knock of 60 from 82 balls. Alex Carey added a late flurry with a quick-fire 65-ball 77 which pushed them above the 300-run benchmark. Jofra Archer claimed two wickets while Bryon Carse, Jacob Bethell, Will Jacks & Liam Livingstone each took one wicket.
There appeared to be an eerie sense of familiarity as Alex Carey once again played a crucial role in catapulting Australia’s total to what seemed like a defensible score at that point. Notably, this performance was more successful than their second ODI efforts where even a total of 270 had been adequate for winning and extending their series advantage. At Chester-le-street on Monday, Carey’s unbeaten 77 along with Steve Smith’s gritty half-century and significant contributions from Cameron Green (42 off 49) and Aaron Hardie (44 off 26) set Australia up well in their quest to seal the series victory.
ENGLAND-
They made significant progress when the start of England innings echoed the previous game. Openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett fell early to Mitchell Starc, leaving them at 11/2. Yet, Jacks and Brook turned things around with a 156-run partnership off 147 deliveries. Despite overcast skies and conditions favoring seamers, Jacks and Brook quickly asserted control, hitting boundaries easily even after the PowerPlay. By their partnership’s end, they amassed 22 fours and three sixes.
With Adam Zampa absent, Mitchell Marsh relied on Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Short for spin. Short conceded 12 runs in his only over, during which Brook reached his fifty. Jacks also completed his fifty in the following over bowled by Starc, who was brought back to disrupt this growing stand. However, Jacks and Brook dominated Starc, hitting him for three fours in a 19-run over, bringing England to 151/2 within 25 overs.
A short ball from Green in the 28th over ended Jacks’s innings at an impressive 82-ball 89, which included nine fours and a six. Green added to England’s concerns by quickly dismissing Jamie Smith. Nonetheless, Liam Livingstone’s brisk unbeaten 33 off 20 balls kept England on track with the required rate. During their undefeated 57-run stand, Brook achieved his maiden ODI century. As this pair progressed rapidly—once again targeting Starc—they remained ahead by 46 runs when rain halted play at 254/4 in 37.4 overs. Brook’s score reached 110 off 94 balls with 13 fours and two sixes.
There was brief hope for resumption after initial showers but that quickly faded as rain returned, ending the game prematurely.
Brief Scores:
Australia: 304/7 in 50 overs (Alex Carey 77*, Steve Smith 60, Aaron Hardie 44, Cameron Green 42; Jofra Archer 2-67)lost to
England: 254/4 in 37.4 overs (Harry Brook 110*, Will Jacks 84; Cameron Green 2-45, Mitchell Starc 2-63) by 46 runs (DLS method)