Late-order hitting from Maxwell and Hardie leaves England stiff chase with series on line
Alex Carey scored his second successive half-century and Glenn Maxwell produced a blistering cameo as Australia piled up a challenging 304-7, leaving England with a stiff chase to save the series in the third one-day international at Chester-le-Street.
England, who are already 2-0 down in the three-match series, will need to produce a remarkable batting performance to level the series. Australia’s bowlers have been on fire, and England will have to adapt their approach to counter the pace and spin on offer.
The hosts got off to a poor start, losing both openers cheaply. Phil Salt, who has been struggling in the series, was bowled by Mitchell Starc for a duck, while Ben Duckett, who has been in good form, was caught at backward point by Glenn Maxwell for 6. Will Jacks (15) and Harry Brook (6) also struggled, making just 21 runs between them before England's innings faltered further.
England’s bowlers were able to keep a lid on the runs in the early stages, with Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse particularly impressive. However, the Australian batsmen came good in the middle overs, led by Carey, who was dropped on 25 by Rashid.
Carey played with great poise and intelligence, reaching his half-century off 48 balls. Maxwell then provided a late flurry, clubbing 30 from 26 balls before hitting Liam Livingstone to the covers for a catch.
England’s chase got off to a dreadful start, with both openers struggling to score. They lost both wickets within the first seven overs, and were never able to recover. England will have to produce a much better performance in the fourth ODI to level the series.
England's woes continue
England were once again forced to chase a big target in the third ODI. Their inability to put together a decent score has been a major concern. However, they have looked like a team in transition, playing the world champions. They’ve been particularly vulnerable against pace and spin, and their lack of experience in 50-over cricket has been evident.
Australia's dominance
Australia, on the other hand, have been incredibly dominant. The team has been able to outscore, outbowl and outfield their opponents, leaving little room for England to capitalize. Their bowlers have been particularly effective in the middle overs, while the batsmen have shown great consistency and power hitting.
This series has been a perfect example of how important it is to have a strong foundation in both batting and bowling, especially in a format like ODI cricket. Australia have managed to maintain a balanced lineup, which has helped them outplay England in every aspect of the game.
The Big Two
The series has also highlighted the emergence of a new Big Two era in Test cricket, with Australia and England the two leading teams. Their head-to-head battles are always exciting, with both teams having the ability to outplay each other on their day.
The series is a great opportunity for both teams to showcase their talents and build momentum for the future. This is a new era in Test cricket, where Australia and England are the dominant forces.
The road ahead
England will need to regroup quickly if they want to salvage something from the series. They will need to improve their batting performance and find a way to counter Australia’s strong bowling attack. If they can do that, they will be a force to be reckoned with in the upcoming ICC World Cup.
A series of missed opportunities
The series has been a disappointment for England. They have been unable to match Australia’s intensity and consistency, and have suffered defeat after defeat. They have been unable to capitalize on their opportunities and have lost a number of key players to injury and form. This series has been a setback for England, but it is important to remember that they are still a young team, and that they have time to improve.
What next?
The fourth ODI will be a crucial match for England. They will need to win to keep the series alive, and to build momentum for the upcoming World Cup.
This is the moment for England to rise to the challenge and show the world that they are still a force to be reckoned with in world cricket.
