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The second ODI of Australia’s tour of England 2024 at Headingley saw the Aussies continue their dominance with a comprehensive 68-run victory over the hosts. This win, led by a brilliant half-century from Alex Carey, secured Australia a 2-0 lead in the five-match series. England, despite some moments of resistance, couldn’t cope with Australia’s superior bowling attack, ultimately falling short of their target.
Australia’s innings: Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh play anchor role
After losing the toss and being put into bat, Australia got off to a quick start with openers Travis Head and Matthew Short setting the tone. Head showed his aggression early on, hitting 4 fours and 2 sixes off just 27 balls, while Short played a supporting role with 29 off 36, including 4 fours and a six. However, the openers couldn’t convert their starts as both fell within the first 10 overs, leaving Australia at 65/2.
Skipper Mitchell Marsh then took charge, building a solid middle-order partnership with Marnus Labuschagne after Steven Smith’s brief stay at the crease. Marsh looked in good touch, scoring 60 runs off 59 balls, including 6 fours and 3 sixes. His fluent knock ensured Australia maintained a healthy run rate, though he was dismissed by Jacob Bethell.
The star of the innings, however, was wicketkeeper-batsman Alex Carey. Coming in at 5, Carey played a crucial role in holding the innings together. He displayed excellent shot selection, smashing 74 runs off 67 balls, with 8 fours and 3 sixes. Carey’s ability to rotate the strike while attacking at key moments helped Australia reach a competitive total. His innings, combined with a 23-run contribution from Aaron Hardie, powered Australia to 270 all out in 44.4 overs.
England’s bowlers had mixed results. Brydon Carse was the most successful, taking 3 wickets for 75 runs in his 10 overs. Adil Rashid continued his consistent form, grabbing 2 wickets for 42 runs in his full quota, while Jacob Bethell impressed with figures of 2/33 from 5 overs. Matthew Potts also chipped in two wickets, but Australia managed to put up a challenging total on the board.
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England’s response: A collapse amidst brief resistance
Chasing 271, England struggled to build momentum from the outset. Australia’s experienced bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc, applied pressure right from the start. England’s top order failed to fire, with Philip Salt (12 off 14), Will Jacks (a golden duck), Harry Brook (4 off 9) falling cheaply, leaving England reeling at 46/3 within the first 7 overs.
Ben Duckett’s dismissal for 32 runs off 25 balls further dented England’s hopes, and it was Jamie Smith who provided some stability. Smith played a gritty knock of 49 from 61 balls, hitting 6 fours and 2 sixes. He tried to rebuild the innings alongside Jacob Bethell, who contributed 25 off 35 balls. However, just as England appeared to be steadying, Smith was dismissed by Jason Hazlewood, triggering another collapse.
Carse (26 off 46) and Rashid (27 off 34) tried to offer resistance in the lower order, but it was too little, too late. Australia’s bowlers, especially Starc, continued to pick up wickets at regular intervals. Starc finished with figures of 3/50 in 9.2 overs, including the final wicket of Olly Stone, sealing Australia’s win. Hazlewood also impressed with 2/54 in 8 overs, while Glenn Maxwell’s off-spin proved effective, as he grabbed 2/15 in 6 overs.
England were bowled out for 202 in 40.2 overs, falling 68 runs short of the target.
