England’s hopes took a hit early in the third ODI against Australia as Mitchell Starc struck twice in the second over to dismiss openers Phil Salt and Ben Duckett. The Australian bowler’s fiery spell put England on the back foot as they chased a target of 305 in Durham.
Starc’s lethal pace and swing proved too much for Salt and Duckett, who were both unable to handle the pressure of the high-stakes match. Their early dismissals left England with a mountain to climb in their pursuit of victory.
As the match unfolded, it became clear that Australia’s total of 305 would not be an easy target to chase down. The pressure was on England’s middle order to step up and deliver if they were to have any chance of securing a win against their rivals.
Despite the early setbacks, England showed resilience and determination as they fought to stay in the game. The partnership between Joe Root and Eoin Morgan provided a glimmer of hope for the home side, as they worked to rebuild the innings after the early wickets.
Australia, on the other hand, continued to apply pressure with their disciplined bowling and fielding efforts. The likes of Pat Cummins and Adam Zampa kept the runs in check and picked up crucial wickets to keep England’s scoring rate in check.
As the match entered the final overs, the tension reached its peak as both teams battled it out for supremacy. England’s lower order batsmen put up a valiant fight, but ultimately fell short of the target set by Australia.
In the end, it was Australia who emerged victorious in the third ODI, thanks to their all-round performance with both bat and ball. The win gave them a crucial lead in the series and put England on the back foot as they looked ahead to the remaining matches.
Overall, the third ODI between England and Australia was a thrilling encounter that showcased the fierce rivalry between the two cricketing giants. Despite England’s best efforts, it was Australia who came out on top, proving once again why they are a force to be reckoned with in the world of cricket.
