Marsh ton in Cardiff not enough to save Australia

CARDIFF: Australia slipped to a 39run defeat in the second oneday international in Cardiff yesterday as England took a 20 series lead on a day where its powerful batting lineup dominated an inexperienced Australia attack.

The host set Australia a record target of 343 after Tim Paine won the toss and elected to field. Jason Roy scored a fine century and Jos Buttler a swashbuckling 91.

In response, the tourists were bowled out for 304, despite a magnificent 131 from Shaun Marsh — his first ODI ton since 2013 and highest score against a test nation.

The 33yearold put on 96 for the sixth wicket with Ashton Agar, but the departure of the allrounder for 46 ended any slim hopes of victory.

Marsh received little assistance from the tail with the last four wickets falling for 11 runs.

The loss means the world champion has now won only two of its last 15 ODIs.

A Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has been charged with altering the condition of the ball in the second test against the West Indies, the International Cricket Council said yesterday.

Angry Sri Lankan players refused to take the field on the third day of the match in St Lucia on Saturday, delaying the resumption of play for almost two hours after the ICC said umpires Aleem Dar and Ian Gould had changed the ball and awarded the West Indies five penalty runs.

‘‘Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal has been charged for breaching Level 2.2.9 of the ICC code of conduct,’’ the ICC tweeted.

The breach relates to changing the condition of the ball. Sri Lanka Cricket said the team had denied any wrongdoing. — AAP/ BPA