Australia Dominates England in Second ODI, Takes 2-0 Series Lead
Australia secured a convincing 68-run victory over England in the second One-Day International at Headingley on Saturday, taking a commanding 2-0 lead in the five-match series.
After losing the toss and being put in to bat, the world champions faced early trouble, finding themselves at 221-9. However, Alex Carey led the recovery with an impressive 74 runs, forming a crucial last-wicket partnership of 49 runs with Josh Hazlewood, allowing Australia to finish their innings at 270 all out. Captain Mitchell Marsh also contributed significantly with 60 runs.
In response, England struggled against Australia’s bowlers, being all out for just 202 in 40 overs. Mitchell Starc was instrumental, claiming three wickets as England slumped to 65 for 5.
Jamie Smith offered some resistance with a solid 49, sharing a brief partnership of 55 runs with Jacob Bethell, but wickets continued to fall at regular intervals. Despite some late hitting from Adil Rashid, England’s defeat was sealed, marking Australia’s 14th consecutive ODI victory—just seven shy of the record 21 straight wins set by the legendary 2003 World Cup-winning side led by Ricky Ponting.
Scoreboard Summary
Australia Batting:
- M. Short: 29
- T. Head: 29
- M. Marsh: 60
- S. Smith: 4
- M. Labuschagne: 19
- A. Carey: 74
- G. Maxwell: 7
- A. Hardie: 23
- M. Starc: 0
- A. Zampa: 3
- J. Hazlewood: Not out 4
- Total: 270 all out in 44.4 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-46 (Head), 2-64 (Short), 3-89 (Smith), 4-145 (Labuschagne), 5-151 (Marsh), 6-161 (Maxwell), 7-216 (Hardie), 8-216 (Starc), 9-221 (Zampa).
England Bowling:
- Potts: 2 wickets for 30 runs
- Stone: 1 wicket for 46 runs
- Carse: 3 wickets for 75 runs
- Rashid: 2 wickets for 42 runs
- Bethell: 2 wickets for 33 runs
England Batting:
- P. Salt: 12
- B. Duckett: 32
- W. Jacks: 0
- H. Brook: 4
- J. Smith: 49
- L. Livingstone: 0
- J. Bethell: 25
- B. Carse: 26
- A. Rashid: 27
- M. Potts: Not out 7
- O. Stone: 1
- Total: 202 all out in 40.2 overs
Fall of Wickets: 1-26 (Salt), 2-28 (Jacks), 3-46 (Brook), 4-65 (Duckett), 5-65 (Livingstone), 6-120 (Bethell), 7-159 (Smith), 8-176 (Carse), 9-201 (Rashid).
Bowling for Australia:
- Starc: 3 wickets for 50 runs
- Hazlewood: 2 wickets for 54 runs
- Hardie: 2 wickets for 26 runs
- Zampa: 1 wicket for 42 runs
- Maxwell: 2 wickets for 15 runs
Result: Australia won by 68 runs.
