England too strong for Prime Minister's XI
England's preparation for the second ODI against Australia enjoyed a solid boost on the back of a convincing 172-run triumph over the Prime Minister's XI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday.
England's preparation for the second ODI against Australia enjoyed a solid boost on the back of a convincing 172-run triumph over the Prime Minister's XI at the Manuka Oval in Canberra on Tuesday.
Whitewashed five-nil in the Test match series and outgunned by opener Aaron Finch's brisk century in the first ODI, the tourists enjoyed some nominal reprieve on the back of fine half-centuries from batsmen Gary Ballance and Jos Buttler and seamer Ravi Bopara's four key wickets.
Captain Alastair Cook's decision to bat first after winning the toss was followed by initial alarm, but Ballance and Buttler were prompt in undoing the wrongs of Cook and the right-handed Joe Root's cheap dismissals.
While fast bowler Brett Lee cherished the opening brace, leg-spinner James Muirhead was the destroyer in-chief through the middle-order, securing figures of three for 52.
Buttler's 61, Ballance's 56 – and 47 and 36 for opener Michael Carberry and all-rounder Tim Bresnan respectively – had the final say in a formidable total of 264 for eight.
The hosts' pursuit was feeble, slumping to just 92 all out in 26 overs. An English attack minus the services of the rested Steven Finn was superb, with Bopara and the lanky Boyd Rankin the pick of the bunch en route to figures of four for three and two for 39 respectively.
The Prime Minister's XI found some consolation in the veteran Brad Hodge's standalone 28, with skipper Brett Lee's late-order dozen rivalled by 11 extras. The second ODI will get underway in Brisbane on Friday.
Latest
-
NewsECB gives green light to men’s Ashes tour subject to ‘critical conditions’
Australia’s rigid Covid-19 restrictions are understood to have caused concerns among England players.
-
NewsECB give green light to men’s Ashes tour subject to ‘critical conditions’
Australia’s rigid Covid-19 restrictions are understood to have caused concerns among England players.
-
NewsBen Stokes among 20 players handed England central contracts
The distinction between red and white-ball deals has been scrapped after five years.
-
NewsSam Northeast signs for Glamorgan on three-year deal
The 31-year-old batter has previously captained Kent and also played for Hampshire, Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire.
-
NewsIreland finalise their 15-man squad for the Twenty20 World Cup
Their first game is against Holland on October 18.
-
NewsAzeem Rafiq: Yorkshire are protecting players and coach who used racist language
Yorkshire say there was “no question” Rafiq was the victim of racial harassment and bullying during his first spell at the county.
-
NewsECB confirm chairman Ian Watmore is to step down with immediate effect
Watmore, 63, has reached a mutual agreement to leave his role after only 10 months following the end of the domestic season.
-
NewsBen Stokes undergoes more finger surgery to leave Ashes participation in doubt
Stokes has been on a sabbatical since the end of July.
-
NewsProductive conversations take place as Ashes resolution moves closer
The marquee series between cricket’s oldest rivals is scheduled to begin in Brisbane on December 8.
-
NewsMichael Holding calls on people to ‘stop being silent’ and ’embarrass racists’
The 67-year-old feels everyone can play their part by adopting an “anti-racist” mindset.