England go one up against Australia
Spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid shared five wickets and set up England’s three-wicket win over new-look Australia in the first oneday international yesterday.
Ali ran through the top order with 3-43 and Rashid took 2-36 as Australia were bowled out for 214 in 47 overs after winning the toss and electing to bat.
Glenn Maxwell top-scored with 62 and gave the total some respectability by sharing an 84-run sixth-wicket stand with Ashton Agar, who made 40.
A century stand between captain Eoin Morgan (69) and Joe Root (50) saw England cruising along at 153-3 before they lost three wickets in four overs and stumbled to 163-6 in the 32nd over.
But David Willey scored a career-best unbeaten 35 and guided England to 218-7 with six overs to spare as he raised the victory with a straight six off seamer Michael Neser.
‘‘Very pleased, particularly with the bowlers, thought they did amazingly well,’’ Mor- gan said. ‘‘The spinners turned the momentum in our favour, they’ve been a great combination for us in the middle. Moeen had a few left-handers to bowl at (and) he always gives you options, like Ben Stokes. He’s had a great day.’’
Ali grabbed all his three wickets in his first five overs and when Rashid had Marcus Stoinis caught behind Australia slumped to 90-5 in the 20th over.
‘‘England’s batting line is really deep, a hard side to bowl, but our bowlers did a terrific,’’ Australia captain Tim Paine said.
‘‘Our top four or five didn’t get the job done. Maxi has been hitting the ball well in the nets and nice to see him translate that to the middle. Thought it was simple today, our top order didn’t get the job done.’’