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On Tuesday, September 24, England hosted Australia in the third of the five-match ODI series at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street. After the visitors took a 2-0 lead in the series, winning the opening two matches at Trent Bridge and Headingly respectively, the Harry Brook-led side bounced back in the game to keep the series alive, courtesy, captain’s maiden ODI hundred.
Earlier in the match, England won the toss and elected to field first. With Australia being invited to put the score first on the board, fifty-plus scores from Steven Smith and wicketkeeper-batter, Alex Carey helped the side post 304 runs on the board. With a crucial half-century, Smith also achieved a massive feat in 50-over format as he surpassed legend, Sachin Tendulkar’s record to register more 50-plus scores against England in the format.
While Smith reached his half-century off 71 deliveries, during his stay at the crease for 82 deliveries, Smith smashed five boundaries, scoring at a strike rate of 73.17. Moreover, the 35-year-old broke Sachin’s record, who registered 32 50-plus scores against England in ODIs, he equalled former Sri Lanka cricketer, Mahela Jayawardene’s record of 33 scores in excess of 50 against The Three Lions in ODIs.
Harry Brook’s maiden ODI ton helps England keep their hopes alive in ODI series against Australia
Speaking of the match which was played at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, stand-in captain, Harry Brook, won the toss and invited Australia to bat first. The visitors, on the back of crucial half-centuries from Steven Smith and Alex Carey helped the side post 305-run target in their stipulated 50 overs.
During their pursuit of run-chase, England skipper stitched a crucial partnership with Will Jacks (84 off 82) to put the home side in a dominant position before rain came into play and forced the game to stop. With no further play possible and DLS method coming into picture, England were declared the winners by 46 runs. With this win, England not only kept the series alive, but also ended Australia’s 14-game unbeaten streak in ODIs that stretches to the ODI World Cup 2023.
On the other hand, the victory for the hosts also ended their seven-game losing streak against the Aussies in the format. The two sides will next lock horns in the fourth ODI of the five-match series at the iconic Lord’s in London on Friday, September 27 at 5:00 pm IST.
