Captain Morgan saves England to level the ODI series
England captain Eoin Morgan top scored with 92 runs, leading his side to level the series at 2-2 in last night’s fourth ODI at Headingley.
By MATTHEW BALMER
England captain Eoin Morgan top scored with 92 runs, leading his side to level the series at 2-2 in last night’s fourth ODI at Headingley.
Morgan combined with all-rounder Ben Stokes for a 91-run partnership, which ensured England wouldn’t have trouble chasing down the target of 299.
The captain's innings ended when he attempted to play a fine cut shot off Pat Cummins. Glenn Maxwell dived to his right to collect it with an incredible one-handed catch at point.
Maxwell also pulled off another remarkable catch late in the innings to dismiss Liam Plunkett.
The tailender smashed a ball from Cummins towards the deep midwicket boundary and it looked to be a certain six.
On the boundary Maxwell jumped high and caught the ball before tossing it back in the air as he fell over the line. Maxwell timed his jump to perfection, collecting the ball with one hand on his return on to the field to provide Australia with a glimmer of hope late on.
Watch Maxwell’s remarkable catch
Earlier, David Willey’s return to the side brought about three early wickets inside the first nine overs.
With Aaron Finch, Joe Burns and Steve Smith back in the pavilion, George Bailey and Maxwell combined to build a partnership of 137 to move the score along to 3/167 in the 30th over.
Maxwell also took 19 runs off one of Adil Rashid’s overs, finishing his innings on 85 off just 64 balls, including 10 fours and two sixes. Maxwell was finally dismissed when he missed a reverse sweep opportunity and was bowled by Moeen Ali.
When Australia entered the batting power-play after 40 overs with the score on 4/210, Australia lost three wickets in ten balls. Bailey, Mitchell Marsh and Victorian debutant Marcus Stoinis were dismissed in quick succession.
It was left to Victorian duo Matthew Wade and John Hastings, who played his first international match since 2012, to haul Australia to a reasonable target.
Wade scored an impressive 26-ball half century, while Hastings made 34 from 26 balls, propelling Australia to a total of 299. Wade and Hastings smashed 77 runs from the final six overs with England unable to hit the yorker length.
England’s chase didn’t start well when Alex Hales was dismissed on the second ball for an LBW, giving Cummins his first of four wickets.
Wade collected a neat catch down the leg side off Marsh, dismissing James Taylor for 41.
But the combination of Morgan and Stokes was enough to see England over the line, with late hitting by Plunkett and Willey ensuring the match heads to a decider at Manchester on Sunday.
MATCH SUMMARY
Fourth One-Day International, Leeds
Australia 7/299 (50 overs): Maxwell 85, Bailey 75, Wade 50; Willey 3/51
England 7/304 (48.2 overs): Morgan 92; Cummins 4/49
