England lose top spot after Aussie defeat

ENGLAND missed out of the twin prizes of a series whitewash over Australia and an extended spell at number one in the world as they suffered a five-wicket defeat in the third Twenty20 international.

Captain Eoin Morgan’s dislocated finger saw him join a growing list of absent first-choice players – including Jason Roy, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler for varying reasons – with Moeen Ali formally leading the side for the first time at the Ageas Bowl.

Sent in to bat first the hosts posted a modest 145 for six, Jonny Bairstow top-scoring with 55 as the rest of the depleted top six faltered, with a brilliant spell of three for 21 from Adil Rashid not quite enough in response.

Rashid controlled and attacked as he removed Glenn Maxwell, Aaron Finch and Steve Smith to get the nerves running in a team who had messed up a simple chase in their previous attempt, but the recalled Mitch Marsh made a sharp 39 not out to complete the chase with three balls remaining.

As a result Australia salvaged a 2-1 scoreline rather than a 3-0 humbling, and more importantly regained top spot in the ICC table, just two days after their rivals had leapfrogged them.

Stand-in skipper Ali was disappointed in defeat, but said it had been an honour to captain the side in Eoin Morgan’s absence.

“A very proud moment,” Ali told Sky Sports. “Morgy told me I was going to captain the side and it was an amazing experience - sadly we didn’t win, but we showed good fight in the end.

“We were pretty poor in the field. You take those chances and I’m pretty confident we would have won the game.

“But these things happen. We have to learn fast. Generally in the field we weren’t great and we didn’t back the bowlers up as much as we’d have liked.”

England’s batsman endured a flat-footed start from which they never quite recovered, Tom Banton’s audition at opener lasting six balls and bringing just two singles before he nicked Josh Hazlewood. Bairstow also struggled to locate his timing as the hosts laboured to 33 for one in the gentlest powerplay of the series.

Something dramatic was required and Rashid provided it in the 11th over with the wickets of Maxwell and Finch. Rashid bowed out by removing Smith for three with the last ball of his spell, stooping for a low return catch.

But England never got back in front,as Marshfinished things with a risky single off the third ball of the 20th over.