HUNG OVERS
Buttler glory boys crash in front of record low crowd
JOS BUTTLER insisted England’s ODI series whitewash against Australia does not take the gloss off a triumphant tour down under.
Just nine days after their T20 World Cup win over Pakistan at the same venue, a record low crowd for a match between England and Australia of just 10,406 saw Buttler’s men go out with a whimper.
Continuing the record theme, the Aussies sealed a 3-0 ODI series posting the highest-ever total at the MCG with 355-5 before winning by record margin of 221 runs (DLS method) as England were all out for 142.
“We tried our best but we fell a long way short,” said Buttler. “But you don’t need long memories to remember the scenes here last week.”
The hangover from those scenes has weighed heavy on this series despite England utilising their bench and resting T20 stars.
Australia’s first-wicket partnership of Travis Head and David Warner ran riot against poor bowling, firing a record for the venue of 269 runs.
The Aussies set an adjusted Duckworth-Lewis-Stern target of 364 after rain reduced the third and final ODI to 48 overs per side, England capitulated in 31.4 overs.
There were few bright spots and even those that shone did so against a dark backdrop.
Olly Stone, who finished with 4-85 from 10 overs, was a case in point even if he deserves credit for honesty.
“I didn’t start great,” he said. “I thought it was nice the way I came back and I enjoy bowling in those high-pressure situations at the end.”
Stone admitted it would be “wonderful” to be selected for England’s defence of their 50-over World Cup in India but after this match he said: “It’s frustrating but it’s definitely something that I can learn from and hopefully take forward.”
■ FORMER England and Sussex allrounder Luke Wright has been added to the panel of national selectors for red and white ball cricket.