ENG VS AUS 3RD ODI

With 305 runs set as the target, Australia will carry the momentum into the second innings. Batting against the new balls will be challenging, and England will need to approach their chase with caution, focusing on building partnerships. Meanwhile, Australia will aim to capitalize on the freshness of the new ball and apply pressure from the outset. An exciting second act is on the horizon, so stay tuned!

Glenn Maxwell and Alex Carey then built a solid 54-run partnership, with Maxwell getting off to a quick start. However, he couldn’t capitalize on his momentum and was dismissed by Livingstone just as the pair began to accelerate, providing England with a crucial breakthrough. Carey, however, continued his composed innings, reaching his consecutive half-century. He was joined by Aaron Hardie, and together they piled pressure back on the English bowlers, scoring freely and finding boundaries at will. The duo added 68 runs for the seventh wicket partnership, with Carey ensuring Australia crossed the 300-run mark.

Mitchell Marsh and Steven Smith managed to navigate through a few testing overs, but Marsh couldn’t kick on and fell soon after the first Powerplay concluded. After the loss of two wickets, Green and Smith stabilized the innings, putting together a solid 84-run partnership. However, the introduction of spin worked wonders for England, as Harry Brook brought on Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks, who claimed two quick wickets in consecutive overs, putting the pressure back on Australia. Jofra Archer then returned to the attack and removed the key man, Steven Smith, who had scored a gritty 60 off 82 balls. Credit, however, must go to Brydon Carse, who took a spectacular catch to dismiss Smith and give his side a timely breakthrough.

After winning the toss and opting to bowl first, England got off to a strong, probing start with their pacers, taking full advantage of the conditions. Both Matthew Potts and Jofra Archer were right on target from the get-go, making life difficult for Australia’s new opening pair. The ball was moving both ways off the surface, and with the occasional delivery rising sharply, Australia struggled to find rhythm and lost Matthew Short early in the innings.

Despite the early challenges posed by the tricky pitch, Australia have put in a commendable effort to surpass the 300-run mark. England conceded 55 runs in the last four overs, allowing the visitors to get to a total that once seemed far-fetched. Alex Carey stood tall towards the end, anchoring the innings with a well-composed knock, while receiving valuable support from Aaron Hardie. Together, they pushed the total to 304/7, giving Australia a competitive score to defend.

A couple of runs to end the inning! Potts dishes out a yorker, on off. Sean Abbott digs it out with a straight bat and comes charging back for the second run. The throw from long off goes to the batting end on the bounce but Abbott is in by then. Potts isn't pleased one bit as he feels the long off fielder should have been quicker. 10 runs off the final over. Australia end with 304/7 on the board!

A yorker gone wrong from Potts, low full toss, on off, Alex Carey drives it to deep cover and takes a single.

Low full toss, on off, Alex Carey walks across and works it straight to backward square leg.

The 300 comes up for Australia! On a back of a length, slower as well. Alex Carey slaps it wide of deep cover for a couple of runs.

WIDE! On a shorter length and well wide of the tramline on off, Alex Carey gets closer to the line but decides to leave it alone.

FOUR! Streaky but they all count! More frustration for Potts. Potts serves a good yorker, on off, Alex Carey tries to jam it out on the off side. Gets an outside edge that flies past the keeper and races into the deep third fence for a boundary.

Sean Abbott walks out to bat next.

OUT! RUN OUT! A big mix-up and Aaron Hardie is gone! Immediate hand of apology from Carey as he knows the single was on there. Low full toss, on middle, Alex Carey turns this one in front of backward square leg and is caught ball-watching. Aaron Hardie sets off for the run with Adil Rashid on the ring there. Hardie has to return more than halfway through the run. Rashid picks it up quickly and throws it on the bounce to the bowling end. Potts gets to the stumps quickly, collects and takes the bails off, catching Hardie short of his crease. A good inning from Hardie comes to an end. He goes for 44 (26). Australia are now 294/7 with five balls to go in the inning.

OUT! RUN OUT! A big mix-up and Aaron Hardie is gone! Immediate hand of apology from Carey as he knows the single was on there. Low full toss, on middle, Alex Carey turns this one in front of backward square leg and is caught ball-watching. Aaron Hardie sets off for the run with Adil Rashid on the ring there. Hardie has to return more than halfway through the run. Rashid picks it up quickly and throws it on the bounce to the bowling end. Potts gets to the stumps quickly, collects and takes the bails off, catching Hardie short of his crease. A good inning from Hardie comes to an end. He goes for 44 (26). Australia are now 294/7 with five balls to go in the inning.

SIX! No, Archer can't close it out well! Archer errs in length as he serves a friendly low full toss, on off. Aaron Hardie holds his shape and belts it over long on for a six. 14 runs off the over.

Archer cramps the batter up for room as he bowls it on a shortish length. Alex Carey helps the ball on its way and crosses over. 8 runs off the over. Can Archer finish well?

Low full toss, on off, Aaron Hardie knocks it down to long off and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Excellent use of the crease! Archer lands it full, on off, Aaron Hardie sets himself deep in his crease and opens himself up to access the off side. Drills it to the left of deep cover and picks up a boundary.