Taylor revives England’s ODI series with a century

By MATTHEW BALMER

England No.3 batsman James Taylor scored 101 runs in last night’s third ODI at Old Trafford to help his side to a 93-run win over Australia.

Taylor and England captain Eoin Morgan shared a partnership of 119 for the third wicket, propelling England to a total of 300.

Australia missed two vital chances to break the partnership, with wicketkeeper Matthew Wade missing a stumping off Ashton Agar’s bowling when Morgan was on 15.

The Australians missed another chance when Taylor was on 41. Taylor would have been dismissed for an LBW on review, but Australia chose not to review the decision off Glenn Maxwell’s bowling.

Opener Jason Roy blasted the Australian attack, scoring 63 runs off 45 balls before he became Agar’s maiden ODI wicket.

Agar had earlier been handed his maiden ODI cap by former Australian player Tom Moody, becoming Australia’s 208th ODI cricketer.

Joe Burns and Aaron Finch opened the innings for Australia, sharing in a 33-run partnership before Morgan caught Burns at mid-off from Steven Finn’s bowling.

Australian captain Steve Smith then fell for 25 after an incredible one-handed catch by Finn at short mid-wicket.

England used the spinning conditions to their advantage, with Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali taking a combined five wickets. Ali finished with a career best 3/32, while Adil Rashid bowled his best spell of the series with 2/41.

But Ali collected the crucial wickets of middle order batsmen George Bailey and Glenn Maxwell, ensuring Australia’s chase for 301 was a mammoth task.

Only Finch was able to provide resistance for the Australians, top scoring with 53, followed by Wade scored 42.

England has their first win in eight ODIs against Australia and will look to build this form into the fourth match at Headingly, with the series locked at 2-1.

MATCH SUMMARY

Third One-Day International, Manchester
England 8/300 (50 overs): Taylor 101, Roy 63, Morgan 62; Cummins 2/50
Australia 207 (44 overs): Finch 53, Wade 44; Ali 3/32