Australia has moved on from the T20 World Cup in the best way possible, by claiming a 3-0 series sweep over the old enemy England.
The hosts put a bow on its dominant series with a big 221-run win at the MCG on Tuesday night, with David Warner and Travis Head making centuries.
Here’s how every Australian performed in the three-ODI series against England.
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TRAVIS HEAD — 9
240 runs at 80.00, strike rate 111.62, HS 152
Australia can seemingly rest easy after the ODI retirement of Aaron Finch. Travis Head returned to the top of the order and was on fire against England to cement his spot alongside David Warner. Head started well with 69 at the Adelaide Oval, but saved his best to last at the MCG where he hit 152 runs off 130 balls in an entertaining innings. It is his highest score in ODI cricket and it will be enough to secure his future as Warner’s opening partner long term.
DAVID WARNER — 8.5
208 runs at 69.33, strike rate 102.46, HS 106
This would have been a satisfying series for David Warner who would’ve counted himself as unlucky at the T20 World Cup, where he didn’t make a score of note. An 86 in Adelaide, when a century was there for the taking, would’ve been a source of frustration for the left-hander, but he didn’t have to wait much longer. He reached three figures at the MCG for his first century in any format in nearly three years.
Warner FINALLY breaks century drought | 02:42
STEVE SMITH — 9
195 runs at 97.50, strike rate 93.75, HS 94
Steve Smith said after the first ODI it was the best he had felt at the crease in about six years. That much wasn’t obvious, given the brilliance that has come within those six years, but Smith did look back to his best. Smith’s technical changes clicked in Adelaide, where he made a classy 80 not out in a comfortable win before backing that up with 94 in Sydney. He ended the series with 21 off 16 balls at the MCG after Warner and Head batted deep. A fine series for the right-hander who might’ve been Australia’s best batter.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE — 5.5
70 runs at 35.00, strike rate 107.69, HS 58
Missed out in Adelaide where he fell for just four, but he bounced back with an impressive 58 off 55 balls at the SCG. It was a tough wicket for batters to settle on and Labuschagne did very well to bring up a half century. Labuschagne was held back for more explosive batters at the MCG given Australia didn’t lose a wicket until the 39th over. He got to face only four balls at the death and made eight runs.
ALEX CAREY — 4.5
33 runs at 16.50, strike rate 94.28, HS 21
Failed to make much of an impression with the bat, although he wasn’t flushed with opportunity. He made 21 off 28 balls in Adelaide but most disappointing was a golden duck at the SCG playing a premeditated sweep shot. He only got the chance to face six balls in the final ODI but did well to make 12 runs unbeaten at the end. Kept things tidy with the gloves all series.
Smith wicket almost goes unnoticed?! | 01:15
MARCUS STOINS — 3
25 runs at 12.50, strike rate 86.20, HS 13
One wicket at 52.00, economy 6.50, BBI 1-23
Didn’t get to bat in Adelaide and came to the crease late in both Sydney and Melbourne where he fell cheaply while scoring at less than a run-a-ball. He departed on both occasions playing a high-risk game which didn’t pay off. With the ball, Stoinis bowled just the eight overs and was Australia’s most expensive, going for 6.50 runs an over. With Mitch Marsh and Cameron Green competing for a spot at the World Cup, Stoinis could come under some pressure for his 50-over World Cup spot.
MITCH MARSH — 6
80 runs at 40.00, strike rate 106.66, HS 50
One wicket at 30.00, economy 4.28, BBI 1-18
Was left out in the first ODI and was eager to make up for lost time in the final two matches. His 50 runs off 59 balls in Sydney was better than what it looked on paper given the conditions. Most exciting, however, was his 16-ball stay at the MCG where he offered some trademark fireworks, including a six that flew more than 110 metres. Australia was already on-course for a big total, but his quickfire 30 might’ve proved important with rain around. Only played a small role with the ball, sending down six overs that were hit for just four runs each on average.
PAT CUMMINS — 7
Five wickets at 17.40, economy 5.43, BBI 3-62
Cummins set out the second match in what was his first ODI series as Australia’s captain. Either side of that match, Cummins ran rampant in a reminder of his serious threat outside of T20 cricket. The fast bowler claimed 3-62 in the first ODI, including two of the first three wickets, before returning at the MCG with 2-25. There can be no complaints about his captaincy either with Australia comfortably in control of both matches he played in.
ADAM ZAMPA — 9.5
11 wickets at 11.90, economy 5.13, BBI 4-31
Easily Australia’s best bowler, which we say awfully often about Adam Zampa these days. The leg-spinner didn’t put a foot wrong all series, starting off with 3-55 in Adelaide, followed by 4-45 in Sydney. Those four wickets in the second ODI came after England had edged ahead on CricViz’s win prediction model. Zampa went on to have the last laugh in a devastating display. More Zampa brilliance was to come in the final ODI when he was on a hat-trick, and went on to take 4-31. He continues to get better with age, as series like these prove.
ASHTON AGAR — 5
No wickets, economy 6.05
18 runs unbeaten, strike rate 150.00
No wickets for Agar in the series, while he batted just once before missing the final ODI. Agar held up his end with the ball, as he so often does, proving to once again be the ideal spin partner for Adam Zampa.
MITCHELL STARC — 7
Five wickets at 18.40, economy 5.11, BBI 4-47
A great series from the left-armer who responded strongly to his axing at the T20 World Cup. Starc’s radar was on the money and the English batters found it hard to deal with, hitting him for only 5.11 runs an over. His double-wicket first over in the second ODI was one of the great opening sets of his 50-over career, while he helped breakdown an English resistance later in the game to end with 4-47. Was a player-of-the-series contender but was rested from the third match. Seven is a great score for having only played two-thirds of the series.
JOSH HAZLEWOOD — 5.5
Three wickets at 18.00, economy 3.85, BBI 2-33
Hazlewood missed the first ODI and was a surprise captain in the second ODI, in which he was hit for just 4.71 runs an over and took 2-33. Hazlewood frustrated England’s batters some more at the MCG with another tight display, taking 1-21. Another solid contribution from the towering quick.
CAMERON GREEN — 3
20 runs not out, strike rate 71.42
No wickets, economy 5.42
Played just the one match before being sent back home to Perth to prepare for the first Test. It was a fairly quiet night for the all-rounder, although there were important contributions still with bat and ball. He sent down seven tidy overs, while he came to the crease after a small Australian wobble late in the chase. Green kept his head, however, and chipped away at the task with Steve Smith to bring up the winning runs. Can’t earn much higher having played just the one match.
SEAN ABBOTT — 3
Two wickets at 22.50, economy 5.62
The bowling all-rounder got a run in the final match at the MCG and was a solid performer with his 2-45 — although that was a touch on the expensive side compared to his teammates on the night. He didn’t get the chance to bat.
