MORGAN THRILLED BY ‘FANTASTIC’ SUCCESS
Eoin Morgan hailed “another fantastic performance” after Jos Buttler’s move up the order paid instant dividends and England proved Australia’s white-ball masters for the sixth time in a fortnight last night.
Buttler (61) hit England’s fastest ever Twenty20 halfcentury, from 21 balls, in only his second innings as an international white-ball opener and first for two years as they racked up their highest home total in the format at Edgbaston.
Adil Rashid (three for 27) and Chris Jordan (three for 42) then ensured England comfortably defended their 221-5, despite Australia captain Aaron Finch’s 84 from 41 balls in a reply which ended on 193 all out.
Morgan’s men therefore added a 28-run success in this one-off Vitality IT20 to their historic 5-0 one-day international whitewash of Australia, and he said: “It was another fantastic performance.
“With the bat, we started off outstandingly well, with Jos up to the top of the order for us – he and Jason (Roy) really did get us off to a flier, expressing themselves against that new ball.
“From there, we managed to kick on, didn’t take our foot off the pedal.”
England’s remarkable strength in depth gives all their batsmen freedom to attack at will.
“We’re lucky at the moment, we probably have six out of the top seven that could open the batting,” Morgan added on Sky Sports.
“With the likes of (Jonny) Bairstow coming in at number six and Moeen (Ali) at number seven, you can keep going hard. “That really paid off today. “We got about 15-20 over par – and we needed them, with Australia coming back hard at us with the bat.”
Finch was just starting to test England’s mettle, when he was caught inches inside the long-on boundary off Rashid. Morgan said: “Adil held his nerve to throw it up there and make it turn, and make that false shot happen.
“They probably thought the rate was up, so something had to happen – and that was the reason I brought Adil on at that time.”
It was one final disappointment of a singularly unsuccessful tour for Australia, and their coach Justin Langer admitted afterwards he can only admire England’s collective ability at present.
Asked if his charges will be scarred by the experience of having to face them, or will prove stronger as they vie for places in the team which will try to defend Australia’s World Cup title in England next summer, he said: “We’ll find out, won’t we?
“We’ve got young guys coming in against the best one-day team in the world.
“I’ve been absolutely blown away by how well England are playing.
“They’re at the peak of their powers right now, and we’ve come up against them.
“A few of the boys have walked into the jungle, and we’ll see how they go over the next two, three or 10 years.”
Finch hopes Australia’s youngsters have learned from a chastening tour.
He said : “They will learn a lot about their preparation going forward: that you have tohitthegroundrunningand be 100 per cent committed and 100 per cent ready to go when you turn up and play that first game. Otherwise it’s a long road.”
Tim Paine has hinted that he could give up captaining the one-day side and, asked whether he would consider the position, Finch added: “If the role’s there, obviously I’d love to do it.”