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Australia’s dominant 14-match winning streak in One Day Internationals (ODIs) came to a sudden end with a defeat against England in the third ODI of their five-match series. Heading into the match, Australia was riding high, having won the first two games of the series and looking set to extend their incredible run. However, England, led by stand-in captain Harry Brook, had other plans, turning the tide and keeping the series alive with a 46-run victory via the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.
England’s Commanding Performance
England’s success was largely driven by Harry Brook’s maiden ODI century. Brook, who stepped in for the injured Jos Buttler as captain, took full advantage of the opportunity, smashing 110 off 94 balls. His innings, alongside Will Jacks’ 84, formed the backbone of England’s chase. Together, they forged a 156-run third-wicket partnership, which put England in a strong position to chase down Australia’s 305-run target. The finishing touches were applied by Liam Livingstone’s blistering 33* off just 20 balls, ensuring England was ahead of the DLS par score when rain interrupted play in the 38th over.
The chase wasn’t without its challenges, as Australia’s pace spearhead Mitchell Starc struck early, dismissing Phil Salt and Ben Duckett in quick succession. However, the Brook-Jacks partnership took the game away from Australia, making it difficult for the bowlers to regain control. Notably, Australia missed the presence of their key leg-spinner Adam Zampa, who was sidelined due to illness. Without Zampa, Australia’s bowling attack lacked the bite needed to break through England’s middle order, ultimately leading to their defeat.
Australia’s Batting Struggles
Australia’s innings saw flashes of brilliance but was largely inconsistent. Alex Carey played a pivotal role with an unbeaten 77, anchoring the middle order. His composed innings, alongside Aaron Hardie’s explosive 44 off 26 balls, gave Australia a respectable total of 305-7. Steve Smith also contributed a gritty 60 but struggled at times to find his rhythm. Despite their efforts, the Australian innings never fully clicked, particularly after the dismissal of Cameron Green, who scored 42.
The final overs provided some late excitement, with Australia adding 55 runs in the last four overs. However, their total, while competitive, wasn’t enough to stifle a determined English side. The absence of Travis Head at the top of the order, along with Zampa’s absence, left Australia lacking in key areas.
Reflection on Australia’s ODI Dominance
Australia’s 14-match ODI winning streak was a testament to their formidable form over the past year. The streak began with their comeback at the 2023 Cricket World Cup, where they recovered from a shaky start to clinch their sixth title. Since then, Australia had swept aside opponents, including a 3-0 series win over the West Indies earlier this year. Their form against England in the first two ODIs of this series had further solidified their position as one of the most dominant teams in world cricket.
While the loss in the third ODI marked the end of their winning streak, it didn’t diminish Australia’s achievements. Winning 14 consecutive ODIs places them second in the all-time list of longest ODI winning streaks, just behind their own record of 21 consecutive wins from 2003 to 2004. The defeat may serve as a wake-up call for the Australians as they look to regroup ahead of the remaining two matches in the series.
The Road Ahead
Australia will be keen to bounce back in the remaining two ODIs at Lord’s and Bristol. With players like Travis Head and Adam Zampa expected to return, they will aim to finish the series on a high. Meanwhile, England, buoyed by their victory, will be looking to level the series and put pressure on the Australians heading into the final match.
For Australia, the loss offers a valuable opportunity to reassess their strategy and address the gaps in their performances. Despite the end of their winning streak, the Australian team remains a force to be reckoned with, and their resilience will be tested in the upcoming games.