Fiery quicks give Aussies the edge in Adelaide
RICHARD EARLE REVVED-UP Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins razed whitewash-thirsty England’s top order before brazen allrounder Chris Woakes stemmed the Australia Day carnage in Adelaide.
England avoided its lowest one-day score, 86 against Australia at Manchester in 2001, through lower-order saviour Woakes (78, 82).
Moeen Ali and skipper Eoin Morgan (33) chipped in but Woakes mounted a concerted 60-run, ninth-wicket rearguard action with Tom Curran (35, 35) that swelled England’s total to 196.
England had vowed to “make history” with a holiday win that set up an inaugural 5-0 series sweep in Australia. It was Morgan’s side that almost finished on the wrong side of history at 5/8 inside six overs.
Top scorer Woakes showed why he has averaged over 50 at No.8 with the bat across the past two years for England, passing 1000 runs in the process.
Entering the fourth clash, he had promised to “keep the foot on the throat” of Australia but teammates failed to cope with top-shelf duo Cummins (4-24) and Hazlewood (3-39).
“There was pace and bounce – I was happy,” Cum- mins said. “We wanted to hit our areas and fortunately they nicked some.
“It was one of those days where it all came together.”
There was no answer to an initial onslaught in sticky conditions despite Mitchell Starc being rested. Hazlewood’s guile then Cummins’ 145km/h seam and steam overwhelmed the visitors.
Australia looked to start their run chase positively, but when opener David Warner fell cheaply for 13 and was followed by Cameron White (3) and captain Steve Smith (4), suddenly the door for an unexpected England fightback was open.
However, a steady 98 by Travis Head, opening the batting for the injured Aaron Finch, along with a quick-fire 32 from Mitchell Marsh, helped guide the Aussies to victory.