Morgan fires as England draw level
FOURTH ODI England captain scores 92 as hosts beat Australia by three wickets
Eoin Morgan and David Willey shone as England held their nerve to beat Australia by three wickets in a tense fourth one-day international in Leeds on Friday and level the series at 2-2.
Captain Morgan hit 92 and Willey launched John Hastings for six to take the hosts to their target of 300 with 10 balls to spare, setting up a deciding match in Manchester on Sunday.
Glenn Maxwell was Australia’s stand-out player, plundering 85 off 64 balls.
The touring side slumped to 215 for seven before Matthew Wade (50 not out) and Hastings (34 not out) clubbed 84 in the last eight overs to lead Australia to a competitive total of 299 for seven.
Watched by British Prime Minister David Cameron, England lost Alex Hales early but Jason Roy ( 36), James Taylor (41) and Ben Stokes (41) helped Morgan keep up with the required run rate.
Morgan struck two sixes and eight fours and looked to be leading his side to their target until he was brilliantly caught one-handed by Maxwell at backward point off Pat Cummins.
Jonny Bairstow chipped in with 31 and Liam Plunkett 17 off 10 balls before he fell to another superb piece of fielding from Maxwell, who knocked the ball up before falling over the boundary and took it onehanded as he leapt back on to the field.
Moeen Ali ( 21 not out) and Willey ( 12 not out) kept cool in mounting tension at Headingley, the latter ending the match in spectacular style with a powerful strike over long-on to complete a triumphant return to the side.
The World Cup holders were indebted to Maxwell and Bailey for their fourth-wicket partnership of 137 and then a late onslaught from Wade. AUSSIES RESCUED After winning the toss, Australia, 2-1 up after losing by 93 runs at Old Trafford on Tuesday, were in trouble at 30-3 as David Willey took early wickets for England. But Maxwell and Bailey laid the foundations for a testing total in good batting conditions before Wade and John Hastings made up for a middle order-collapse with an unbeaten stand of 81 off just 54 balls as England were set 300 to win.
New Yorkshire signing Willey, playing his first match of the series, produced an impressive opening spell, which at one point included figures of 3-6.
The left-arm seamer removed opener Joe Burns, bowled off an inside edge as he attempted to leave, before trapping Australia captain Steven Smith leg before wicket with a full-pitch inswinger. Aaron Finch was next to go as he edged behind to county teammate Jonny Bairstow before Maxwell and Bailey repaired the damage. BRIEF SCORES Australia 299/ 7 in 50 overs (G Maxwell 85, G Bailey 75, M Ali 2/40) England 304/ 7 in 48.2 overs (E Morgan 92, P Cummins 4/49)