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September 24, 2024
Harry Brook’s outstanding maiden ODI century guided England to a 46-run victory over Australia at Chester-le-Street, utilizing the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method due to rain interruptions. England was chasing a challenging target of 305 and found themselves well ahead at 254 for 4 when the rain arrived. Brook finished with an impressive 110 not out. At the same time, Tom Jacks added 84 valuable runs, forming a crucial partnership of 156 runs for the third wicket.
England faced an uncertain start, losing two wickets for just 11 runs in the fourth over as Mitchell Starc quickly dismissed both openers. However, Brook and Jacks steadied the innings, showcasing resilience and skill as they navigated the Australian bowling attack. Their efforts were pivotal in transforming a precarious situation into a commanding position before the rain altered the course of the match.
This victory marks England’s first in ODI cricket since December, keeping their hopes alive in the series with two matches remaining. It also ended Australia’s remarkable 14-game winning streak that dated back to the 2023 World Cup. While Alex Carey led Australia’s scoring with an unbeaten 77 runs, England’s bowlers struggled to contain the batting lineup, especially during the latter half of Australia’s innings, which concluded at 304 for 7.
A crucial partnership of 156 runs between Harry Brook and Will Jacks, who scored 84, turned the tide in England’s chase. Although Jacks and Jamie Smith were dismissed by Cameron Green, Brook found a solid ally in Liam Livingstone. Together, they brought the target down to just 51 runs needed from 74 balls when rain threatened the match.
Brook finished unbeaten on 110 runs off 94 balls, including 15 boundaries, becoming the youngest England captain to score a century in ODIs. Australia was missing key players, with Adam Zampa sidelined due to illness and Travis Head rested. Despite this, England’s performance was a significant boost, showcasing the potential of their new batting lineup following disappointing outings at Trent Bridge and Headingley.
After the innings break, Australia’s experience initially gave them an edge. Chasing what would have been the second-highest successful target at Riverside (after their 311-run chase against Australia in 2018), England got off to a shaky start. Phil Salt fell early, caught at midwicket off Starc, followed by Ben Duckett, who edged a drive to backward point. However, both Jacks and Brook quickly demonstrated their batting prowess, with Jacks effortlessly driving the ball back down the ground and Brook powerfully sending a delivery through extra cover.
Initially, England batted cautiously, carefully assessing the bowlers’ lengths. Will Jacks showcased aggression by advancing down the pitch to hit Josh Hazlewood through the offside. At the end of the first powerplay, England stood at 45 for 2, slightly ahead of Australia’s 41 for 1, and they began to take more risks as Mitchell Marsh rotated his bowlers. Brook attacked Glenn Maxwell’s first delivery, sending it over mid-off, and followed it up with an even bigger shot against Matthew Short.
Brook reached his half-century in just 54 balls, marking his first since becoming captain in place of the injured Jos Buttler. The hundred partnership was achieved just two balls later. Jacks soon celebrated his half-century from 55 balls, energizing the home crowd. The atmosphere intensified further when Starc’s sixth over yielded 19 runs, making it one of his most expensive in ODIs. Jacks hit several boundaries with solid drives and pulls. At the same time, Brook capped off the over with a magnificent lofted drive over cover, igniting cheers from the stands.
The momentum had shifted firmly in England’s favor. Although Will Jacks was dismissed with a high shot to deep third, and Jamie Smith’s top-edged pull landed in the hands of deep backward square leg, Harry Brook remained focused. He quickly hit back-to-back fours off Mitchell Starc, reaching three figures for only the second time in his List-A career.
Meanwhile, Liam Livingstone made an impact, launching two sixes in his first seven balls. With rain threatening, he helped propel England ahead of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) requirement with a flurry of boundaries, leaving no doubt about the outcome by the time heavy rain set in.
For Australia, the innings began with a reliance on Alex Carey, who was only playing due to an injury to Josh Inglis from the T20I series. Carey top-scored for the second consecutive game, building on Steven Smith’s foundation, who scored his first fifty of the series under challenging conditions. Together with the lower order, they added 104 runs in the last 10 overs. Aaron Hardie shone with a career-best 44 runs off 26 balls, including two sixes off Jofra Archer. England managed only one wicket during the first powerplay. Still, there were opportunities for the seamers, as Brook had anticipated at the toss. Short, alongside Mitchell Marsh in the absence of Travis Head, was caught hooking Archer to a deep backward square leg just two balls after hitting a six in the same manner. Matthew Potts thought he had dismissed Smith lbw, but ball-tracking revealed the ball would have missed the leg stump on review.
Mitchell Marsh navigated the powerplay cautiously, enduring several blows to the body. Still, he was dismissed shortly after, with Brydon Carse using his home-ground knowledge to find a tricky length. He got Marsh out, catching the outside edge and sending it to Jamie Smith. Australia then looked to stabilize their innings, as Steven Smith and Cameron Green formed a partnership of 84 runs, primarily relying on low-risk shots to see off the frontline seamers before targeting the spinners.
Although Jacob Bethell and Will Jacks started by conceding boundaries, both spinners struck quickly, turning the tide. First, Green hit Bethell’s delivery to Jacks at straight mid-on, who had just been repositioned from a closer fielding position. Soon after, Marnus Labuschagne attempted to scoop Jacks but made a simple catch on the wicketkeeper. Suddenly, Australia found themselves at 132 for 4, relying on Smith’s steady batting as he reached a 71-ball fifty with his fifth boundary.
With Australia at 172 for 5, the innings could have collapsed. Still, Alex Carey stepped up, forming rapid partnerships with Glenn Maxwell and Aaron Hardie that shifted momentum back toward Australia. Hardie’s aggressive batting from the number 8 spot was particularly impressive, contributing significantly as 55 runs came from the last four overs, putting England under pressure. However, Brook’s performance with the bat offered a solid counter to this aggressive Australian response.