Curran’s five trumps Paine’s heroics
The new Optus Stadium at Perth was gifted a memorable first international as England beat Australia by 12 runs in a contest full of drama.
Australia won the toss and perhaps wary of the power of England’s batsmen in a chase chose to field first.
England’s top order got away to a good start with Jason Roy (49) and Jonny Bairstow flying to 71 before the former skied a knuckle-ball from Andrew Tye.
The tourists looked in good shape but despite all of the top four getting past thirty none could play the big innings needed to take them past 300.
Two wickets in two overs from Mitchell Marsh sent Alex Hales (35) and Eoin Morgan (3) packing while Bairstow (44) had played on to Starc in the 20th over.
Joe Root (62) played a measured knock as he attempted to rally the lower-order but Tye’s variations proved tough to handle and he would claim a maiden career ODI five-fer.
That is awesome from the Aussie skipper! #ohwhatafeeling#AUSvENG @Toyota_Aus pic.twitter.com/kAUlIeCDyK
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 28, 2018
Tye ended with figures of 5/46 as England managed to limp to what looked like a sub-par 257 all out.
Australia’s top order effort was characterized by an inability to build around a great knock of 87 from Marcus Stoinis who himself played a loose shot to get out.
The England spinners troubled the top order with David Warner (15) and Steve Smith (12) failing yet again in what has been a difficult series for the kingpins.
Travis Head (22) was the victim of some sharp work in the field having opened with Warner, he was run out by a direct hit though he may feel he was a bit casual about trying to make his ground.
Yep, that's a ripper! https://t.co/tc335nN8gH #AUSvENG pic.twitter.com/4B5QqvLgWA
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 28, 2018
Glenn Maxwell (34) crafted an innings of promise but would get a ripper from Tom Curran that struck him on the pad and he had to go, Australia were 192 for 6 and the tide had turned.
When Tye was caught off a leading edge for 8 Australia were 203 for 8 and it seemed the contest was over however there was a dramatic finish to come.
Tim Paine and Adam Zampa put on 33 with Jake Ball struggling through heatstroke and England without an extra bowler after Root was struck in the midriff while batting.
Root attempted to warm up to bowl but was seen grimacing as he turned his arm over so Ball struggled on manfully unable to bowl at full pace and lacking control.
Zampa earned a DRS reprieve after being given out leg before to a reverse swinging full ball from David Willey but ultimately wouldn’t add to his 11.
That allowed Paine to turn the tide and even after Curran produced a vicious inswinger to bowl Zampa for 11 it seemed Paine may pull of the impossible.
With a few crafty ramps and pull shots Paine (34) got Australia close before Curran found a way through his defences to end the match and complete the win.
Curran was named man of the match and Root the man of the series as England completed a 4-1 ODI series triumph over Australia.
Scorecard
Latest
-
News
On this day in 2018: Australian trio banned after ball-tampering saga
The trio were handed their punishments on March 28, 2018.
-
County Cricket
Surrey stars eager to help Alec Stewart sign off with more silverware
Stewart has guided Surrey to three County Championship wins during his decade in charge.
-
Women's Cricket
Maia Bouchier smashes 91 as England Women seal T20 series victory
England made 177 for three and then restricted New Zealand to 130 for seven.
-
County Cricket
Yorkshire boosted by Harry Brook and Joe Root’s early-season availability
Both players are not at the Indian Premier League.
-
England
Ollie Pope ‘itching’ to get back scoring runs after ‘frustrating’ tour of India
The England vice-captain hit a superb 196 in Hyderabad, but averaged only 14.75 in the next four Tests of the India series.
-
Women's Cricket
Ellyse Perry says Ashes Test at MCG ‘amazing’ but unsure about four-day return
Australia will host England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the Women’s Ashes early next year.
-
County Cricket
Harry Brook set to return for start of Yorkshire’s County Championship campaign
Brook withdrew from England’s Test tour of India in January due to personal reasons.
-
England
England spinner Tom Hartley expects his exploits in India to be ‘life changing’
Hartley’s second-innings haul of seven for 62 in Hyderabad delivered one England’s greatest ever overseas victories.
-
Women's Cricket
Heather Knight urges more composure from England after New Zealand collapse
The tourists needed just 29 from 29 balls with eight wickets in hand.
-
Australia
On this day in 2018: Australia ‘sandpapergate’ ball-tampering controversy erupts
The incident led to Steve Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned from playing for Australia.