Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes inspire England comeback as Australia collapse again

Woakes and Archer were brought back in the middle overs and turned the game on its head
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Will Macpherson13 September 2020

World Champions England had their bowlers to thank for a tremendous series-levelling victory against Australia, who suffered a dismal collapse having been well on track chasing just 232 at Old Trafford.

First, Tom Curran and Adil Rashid rescued a poor batting performance, then Jofra Archer and Chris Woakes provided a scintillating middle-overs fightback to derail what appeared a routine Australia chase.

In scenes reminiscent of their choke in the opening T20, Australia lost four wickets for three runs in 21 balls and never recovered. They fell to defeat by 24 having needed 88 from 116 balls with eight wickets in hand when the collapse began with the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, who had shared 107 with captain Aaron Finch.

That stunning comeback kept this series alive for a decider on Wednesday and saved them from a landmark defeat. England have not lost a series in any format in this biosecure summer, or indeed any summer since Ed Smith became National Selector in 2018. They have not lost an ODI series (of more than one game) at home since the Australians beat them five years ago this month, or indeed anywhere since early 2017. It is a proud record that they will be delighted not to have given up just yet.

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They had to fight mighty hard to keep the record up. They had struggled to 231 only thanks to the resourceful lower order hitting from Rashid and Tom Curran (who came into the side with his brother Sam for Moeen Ali and Mark Wood). They came together with England floundering on 149 for eight and shared an audacious 76 in 57 balls until Curran was dismissed with two deliveries remaining in the innings. Never mind, Archer hit Mitch Marsh for two, then four and England had something to bowl at.

They ease with which Curran and Rashid, freed by the fact they were propping up the bar in the last chance saloon, flayed Australia to all parts contrasted starkly with the struggles of England’s top order.

Having opted to bat first on a used pitch they could not find any rhythm Jonny Bairstow edged the first ball he faced from Mitchell Starc behind and was dismissed for a seven-ball duck, but Jason Roy appeared to be finding some form only to be run out by Joe Root. Australia’s seamers, led by Josh Hazlewood, were superb.

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Root, usually so adept at finding gaps, could not find singles or boundaries. He put on 61 with Eoin Morgan, only to fall to Adam Zampa’s third ball, caught at slip. Zampa also dismissed Morgan lbw, just as he looked to be finding rhythm, then Friday’s centurion Sam Billings, bowled cutting. By then, Jos Buttler had gone too, lbw to Pat Cummins.

Woakes began the fightback with a sprightly 26, but when he became Hazlewood’s first victim, all hope seemed lost. Curran got off to a slow start, then was suddenly plonking the quicks down the ground for four, and Rashid was carving away with his unique, unorthodox brand of wristy batting.

England went into the break with their tails up – and Archer built on that with a rapid opening spell that accounted for David Warner (for the fourth time this summer and seventh in 57 balls in all international cricket) and Marcus Stoinis, who was bounced out by a brute. Stoinis had retained this place in the side because Steve Smith was not risked as he battles concussion.

But Finch and Labuschagne came together to quell England’s excitement. They slowly forged a strong – very nearly winning – position, as England became scrappy in the field.

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Rashid seemed like he would be the key man, but he was negotiated with some ease, so Morgan, whose had a magnificent game as captain, turned back to his new-ball bowlers, and they ended up bowling a five-over spell each which totally turned the game. They simply honed in on the stumps, with Woakes pinning Labuschange lbw (a smart review was required), and bowling Finch and Glenn Maxwell, both on the outside edge. Archer saw Marsh play on, too.

When they completed their spells, Australia were 150 for eight, and on came the Curran brothers. Tom was tight, while Sam picked up the wickets – Cummins was bowled and Starc caught behind in successive balls, then Zampa spooned to mid-off a coupe of overs later.

Alex Carey was left alone but there was too much to do and was stumped off Rashid, bowling the 49th over. Australia had lost eight for 63 to lose a captivating contest.

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