Awful end to abysmal tour for England

An entirely abysmal tour for England ended in characteristic defeat in Sydney on Sunday, as Australia clinched a comfortable 84-run victory – and resounding three-nil series win – in the third and final Twenty20 International.
An entirely abysmal tour for England ended in characteristic defeat in Sydney on Sunday, as Australia clinched a comfortable 84-run victory – and resounding three-nil series win – in the third and final Twenty20 International.
Whitewashed across five Tests and the subject of a four-one thrashing during the ODIs, the tainted tourists were equally outgunned through the shortest format of the international game.
The hosts' choice to bat first brought an impressive final total of 195 for six, built on the back of captain George Bailey's unbeaten 49 from a mere 20 deliveries, which included all of 26 runs struck off seamer Jade Dernbach's final over.
The visitors had started well, with skipper Stuart Broad and debutant Chris Jordan combining well with the new ball. Fellow right-armers Dernbach, Tim Bresnan and Ben Stokes – and spinner Joe Root – could not follow suit.
Broad was the pick of the bowlers, completing fine figures of three for 30 in four overs. His haul, however, was not nearly enough to prevent England's 12th loss in 13 international appearances in Australia.
The visiting batsmen were weak in reply, with the talented Eoin Morgan's 31 as good as it got in a very insufficient 111 all out in just 17.2 overs. Fast bowler Nathan Coulter-Nile and spinners Glenn Maxwell and James Muirhead snared a brace each.
Not one of openers Luke Wright and Alex Hales, all-rounder Stokes, wicketkeeper-batsman Jos Buttler or the promising Ravi Bopara were able to graduate to double figures. Wright and company's slew of much-vaunted experience in the Big Bash League recently was, indeed, laid to waste.
Bailey, appropriately, was named Player of the Series – thanks to 123 runs in three innings at a quickfire strike-rate of 198.38. Australia will soon commence a three-Test series in South Africa, while England will begin preparations for a brief limited-overs series in the West Indies, where Broad or Morgan are expected to captain the team in the absence of the rested Alastair Cook.
Latest
-
News
Lauren Winfield-Hill stars as Oval Invincibles begin title defence with big win
The home side defeated the Northern Superchargers by nine wickets.
-
News
Sam Curran the main man as Oval Invincibles beat Northern Superchargers
Curran scored 60 in his side’s three-wicket win at the Kia Oval.
-
News
England opener Alex Lees keen to see aggressive approach adopted in county game
The Durham batter has used the break in Test cricket to spread the word.
-
News
‘It was awesome’ – Will Smeed ends his 90s curse to hit Hundred’s first century
The youngster had fallen short of a maiden century on multiple occasions during the first half of 2022.
-
News
Will Smeed becomes first batter to hit ton in Hundred during Birmingham win
The opener cracked an unbeaten 101 off 50 balls.
-
News
Women’s game on upward trend and schools an important target – Anya Shrubsole
The 30-year-old pace bowler was restricted to competing against boys during childhood.
-
News
Australia captain Meg Lanning taking break from cricket for personal reasons
The 30-year-old had been due to represent Trent Rockets in The Hundred.
-
News
Tributes pour in for former umpire Rudi Koertzen following death aged 73
The MCC said it was “saddened” to learn of Koertzen’s death.
-
England
Lisa Keightley to step down as England head coach at the end of the summer
The Australian took over in January 2020 and led England to the final of this year’s World Cup.