Australia 201 for 7 (Warner 39, Marsh 35, Head 34, Stoinis 30) beat England 165 for six (Buttler 42, Cummins 2-23, Zampa 2-28) by 36 runs
The consequence shouldn’t be terminal for England’s title defence, however they’ve one level from their first two matches and face an anxious week forward in Antigua. They are going to virtually actually have to beat each Oman (on Thursday) and Namibia (on Saturday), however even then would doubtless should depend on internet run charge to qualify for the second spherical forward of Scotland.
The size performed a serious position at Kensington Oval: one sq. boundary was 9 metres shorter than the opposite, measured at simply 58m. Australia focused it, virtually instantly. Will Jacks, surprisingly given the second over, conceded three sixes in his first 4 balls, all flying over the shorter leg-side boundary; Mark Wooden’s first over from the identical finish additionally price 22.
Australia’s complete relied on cameos all through their batting line-up relatively than one substantial innings. Warner, doubtless dealing with England for the ultimate time in worldwide cricket, top-scored with 39 however everybody of their prime 5 reached no less than 28; Matthew Wade’s 10-ball 17 not out was one other helpful contribution from No. 7, taking Australia previous 200.
England, against this, fell away badly after Zampa accounted for each of their openers – Jos Buttler and Phil Salt – inside his first 11 balls. They have been 73 for 0 after seven overs however solely managed 92 for six within the following 13, their center order failing to regulate to a dry pitch rapidly sufficient in opposition to a medical Australian assault.
Head, Warner’s quick begin
For the primary time of their T20 historical past, England opened the bowling with spin from each ends. It did not work: Moeen Ali’s first over price solely three runs to Head and Warner, Australia’s left-handed opening pair, however Jacks – who had solely bowled two overs in his 14 earlier T20Is – was pumped over the quick boundary thrice in 4 balls.
Wooden took over from Jacks on the similar finish and his first over was equally as costly: he tried to tuck Warner up and bowl to his sweepers, however as an alternative fed his strengths and was cracked over the quick facet for 3 extra sixes and a 4. Moeen broke by way of when a ball skidded below Warner’s backside edge, however solely after conceding two fours and a six in his second over.
Jofra Archer was the quickest England bowler to regulate to the situations, utilizing his slower balls and dragging his size again, and will have a good time a primary worldwide wicket in Barbados when his offcutter burst by way of Head and hit center and off stumps. Even nonetheless, Australia’s 74 for two was their highest powerplay at a males’s T20 World Cup.
Australia’s robust end
England began to tug issues again when the sector unfold, although Mitchell Marsh continued to seek out the boundary. He nailed a pull over midwicket and onto the photo voltaic panels on the roof of a stand off Adil Rashid, and swung Archer over the leg-side boundary after the mid-innings drinks break.
Glenn Maxwell’s 28 off 25 was his joint-highest T20 rating since February however he and Marsh fell inside 4 balls of each other: Marsh was stumped by Buttler on the second try off Livingstone’s legspin, and Maxwell picked out deep midwicket off Rashid. At 142 for 4 within the fifteenth over, Australia wanted a robust end.
However Marcus Stoinis, Tim David and Wade ensured they reached 200 with common boundaries on the again finish and England turned ragged within the discipline: Rashid threw his palms up in frustration when Stoinis picked up 4 from a toe-ended reverse-sweep, Archer and Jonny Bairstow leaving the ball to at least one one other at level and backward level.
Zampa makes the distinction
England’s openers regarded to maximise the powerplay, with Buttler utilizing his ft to focus on Josh Hazlewood and Salt launching a 106-metre six off his Kolkata Knight Riders team-mate Mitchell Starc. The seventh over, Starc’s third, then price 19: Head caught Salt at deep third however whereas stepping on the boundary, and Buttler picked off a six then a 4.
However on a dry floor, Zampa was the important thing bowler and struck together with his first ball, which crashed into the highest of Salt’s off stump as he regarded to create room to chop. In Zampa’s second over, Buttler swung him down the bottom for six however then reverse-swept straight to Pat Cummins at level, leaving 109 required off the ultimate 10 overs.
Will Jacks cracked one boundary off Cummins however then picked out Starc at long-off, who took a superb diving catch off Stoinis, and Bairstow regarded quick on rhythm all through his 13-ball 7. Moeen briefly threatened one thing particular, hitting three sixes in a Maxwell over, however the required charge proved insurmountable.
Matt Curler is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo. @mroller98
