Hales and Dernbach square series

Cricket365
September 1, 2013

A near century from Alex Hales and three key breakthroughs from seamer Jade Dernbach afforded England a comfortable 27-run win – and left the two-match series squared – in Saturday's second and final Twenty20 International at the Riverside Ground in Chester-le-Street, Durham.

Hales, who smashed 99 against the West Indies in Nottingham last year, again missed three figures en rout to 94 in a final total of 195 for five. The Aussies' response, although buoyed by the left-handed David Warner's half-century, ultimately fell to an insufficient 168 for nine.

Visiting captain George Bailey's choice to bowl first after winning the toss was arguable, but with the 2014 World Twenty20 in Bangladesh nearing, the Australians ability to chase – rather than set – a hefty total need to be tested.

The hosts again failed to hand the uncapped Michael Carberry a debut, instead sticking with Hales and the South African-born Michael Lumb at the top of the order. The duo were entirely complementary during a quickfire 111-run alliance inside the opening dozen overs.

While all-rounders Mitchell Johnson and James Faulkner secured reasonably cheap figures, the inexperienced Nathan Coulter-Nile – replacing fast bowler Josh Hazlewood – endured plenty of shtick.

Complementary cameos from the aggressive Luke Wright and inventive Eoin Morgan capped a threatening tally, while the Pakistan-born Fawad Ahmed welcomed his first three wickets in international cricket. Australia, indeed, have done themselves a favour by granting the refugee citizenship.

The visitors' response lacked substance throughout, bar Warner's promise. The English attack struck with great regularity, with Dernbach and spinner Danny Briggs the pick of the bunch.

Fighting vigils from the stubborn Glenn Maxwell and Bailey extended the fixture, but an asking rate in double figures ultimately tolled. The right-handed Hales, unexpectedly, was named Man of the Match – but will soon drop out of the equation. The English, indeed, have all of five new caps to blood in next month's ODI series against the same opposition.