T20I tri-series: Australia vs England - 3rd match, 5 talking points

The Australian leg of the T20I tri-series between Australia, New Zealand and England ended with the two Ashes rivals fighting it off in the third match that was held in Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Sending England in to bat first, Australia prevented their opponents from getting off to a rollicking start by picking up regular wickets at crucial junctures. They could manage just 137/7 in their quota of overs, which hardly proved a challenge for the mighty Australians who chased down the target in just 14.3 overs, to script their third successive victory in the tournament, thus garnering a spot in the Finals.

The next three games will be staged in New Zealand.

Here are the 5 talking points from the match.

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#1 The English top order fails to get going

With England in dire need of a strong opening partnership that would help them record their first win in the tri-series, the onus was on the top-order to start the innings with a flourish. However, Jason Roy, Alex Hales and Dawid Malan were all back in the pavilion with the scoreboard reading just 34 in 4 overs.

While Roy fell to Kane Richardson, Hales was dismissed by Billy Stanlake and Malan was run out by David Warner. James Vince too departed early and England were struggling at 70/4 after 10.4 overs, let down once again by a jittery top order.

#2 Jos Buttler tries to provide stability

The only player who showed signs of intent was Jos Buttler, who walked in to bat after the dismissal of Malan. The skipper managed to thwart the challenge that was posed by the Aussie bowlers en route a fighting knock of 46 in 49 deliveries. He, along with Sam Billings put on 43 for the fifth wicket, with the latter chipping in with a 23-ball 29 that was laced with four boundaries and a six.

However, Buttler’s knock was a tad too slow and even though it did bring respectability to the total, it hardly was able to push the Aussies.

#3 Kane Richardson rocks the batsmen

Man of the Match Richardson ended with figures of 3/33 in his quota of 4 overs and was a major reason why the English could never get going. The inward movement vastly disturbed Roy, who eventually fell to the extra bounce that was extracted by the bowler. He was smashed for two consecutive fours by Vince, but then cleverly returned to trouble him with his seam movement.

He picked up David Willey with a shortish delivery and Buttler fell in the last ball of the innings to Richardson.

The bowler was aptly supported by Stanlake, who conceded 28 runs in his four overs, picking up the crucial wickets of Hales and Billings. Together, the duo bowled a tight line and length and the early breakthroughs stalled the English hopes of a comeback.

#4 Warner’s poor form continues

David Warner, one of the most destructive batsmen in the world, was unable to shrug off his poor form in the T20Is, falling for just 2 runs in four deliveries. The batsman, who was unable to get going since the ODIs against England, has managed just 12 runs in the three innings so far.

Today, he fell to a full-length delivery by Willey, which shaped away from the player. Warner, unable to move out of the crease was forced to edge the delivery to the keeper.

However, with the other players chipping in, Warner’s lack of form has hardly been a cause of trouble but the player would hope that he can be amongst the runs sooner than later.

#5 The big-hitters from Australia finish the game in style

Even though Warner fell in the first over once again, the other batsmen ensured that his loss was hardly felt, as they piled on the pressure on England with some insane shot-hitting. Chris Lynn stayed for just 19 deliveries, but blasted 31 runs, with four boundaries and two sixes. D’ Arcy Short held one end up, even as the others were breaking loose to make a 33-ball 36.

Glenn Maxwell carried on his good form as he scored 39 in 26 deliveries and Aaron Finch finished off the innings in just 14.3 overs, scoring 20 in just 5 deliveries, to hand Australia their third comprehensive win.