Finch ton in vain, Eng win again

England cruised to a four-wicket victory over Australia in Friday’s second one-day cricket international at the Gabba to take a 2-0 lead in their five-match series. Joe Root captured two vital wickets to help the tourists restrict Australia to a modest total of 270/9 and then made an unbeaten 46 as his side reached their winning target with more than 5 overs to spare to seize control of the series.

After crushing England in the Ashes Test series, now find them- selves needing to win Sunday’s third match in Sydney just to keep the series alive.

Jonny Bairstow (60) and Alex Hayes (57) both made half-centuries while Root, Jos Buttler (46) and Chris Woakes (39 not out) all made valuable contributions after Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc took 4/59 to briefly raise hosts hope of victory.

BACK-TO-BACK TONS Aaron Finch scored his second century in as many matches for Australia but received little support from his team mates with no-one else making at least 40.

Finch followed up his 107 from the series-opener in Melbourne with a brisk 106 off 114 balls. He shared a 68-run partnership with fellow opener David Warner (35) then joined Mitchell Marsh (36) in an 85-run stand for the fourth wicket before England put the brakes on Australia’s scoring by taking 3-7 in two overs.

Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, one of two players making their ODI debuts for Australia, chipped in with 27 off just 24 deliveries before he was run out as the home side managed just 57 runs from the last 10 overs.

Root was the pick of the bowlers ,leg spinner Adil Rashid also bagged two wickets.

England stuck with the same lineup that successfully chased down Australia’s 304-8 to win in Melbourne while the home side made three changes. Carey replaced Tim Paine, who was ruled out with illness, while Jhye Richardson (2-57) earned his first cap after taking over from Pat Cummins, who was rested after undertaking a heavy workload during the Ashes. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa was dropped and veteran middle-order batsman Cameron White included.

Brief scores: England 274/6 in 44.2 overs (J Bairstow 60, A Hales 57, J Root 46 n.o; M Starc 4/59, J Richardson 2/57) beat Australia 270/9 in 50 overs (A Finch 106, M Marsh 36, D Warner 35; J Root 2/31, A Rashid 2/71)