365 Sporting Days

I drove to the Durham area from Nottingham via Fountains Abbey, I lingered longer than planned, it’s simply stunning!  I’d booked an Airbnb in Lanchester a few miles outside of Durham, the welcome was amazing and the accommodation lovely!

I drove to the park and ride for the match, that proved to be a good way to get to the ground and good value at £2.  I had a great seat, in Row A however which did mean people were walking past for most of the day.  I was sat next to a father and son who were great to talk to.

I imagine Tim Paine was praying he’d lose the toss, and of course he won!  This time he elected to bat unsurprisingly after the horror of conceding 481 runs at Trent Bridge.  Craig Overton replaced Liam Plunkett in the England team and Michael Never and Alex Carey were included for Australia.

The Fine experiment was over and he opened with Travis Head, there was a strange atmosphere in the ground, subdued I’d say.  Australia had a ‘steady’ innings, I’d say anything was going to be an anti-climax after Trent Bridge.

The opening pair put on 101 before Head lost his wicket in the 20th over having scored 63 of those runs.  Head was caught by David Willey from the bowling of Rashid, a spinner had struck again!

Shaun Marsh joined Finch, he’d scored a century in Cardiff, he and Finch gave great display of batting, but again it wasn’t incredibly dynamic.  Finch reached his century from 106 balls, taking 131 minutes to get there.  He started what was to become something of a theme, in reaching his milestone then being out!

Mark Wood, on his home ground, trapped Finch LBW and Australia were 225 for 2.  Big hitter Marcus Stoinis was next up, he only faced 2 balls and was  bowled by Wood on the second!  Australia were 227 for 3.  The light up bails are a real boon for a cricket photographer!  I vote for them in test cricket too -:)

Ashton Agar, who’s surely cemented his place in this team, has had a hard time against the bowling of Rashid and this was to be no different, he was caught by Jos Buttler from the bowling of Rashod for 19.  Australia were 256 for 4.

Shuan Marsh was building towards his century and was joined by Alex Carey, a former Aussie Rule player Carey had made his ODI debut against England in Brisbane, this was only his second ODI.  This wasn’t a great innings for him, he was caught by Craig Overton from the bowling of Willey having scored 6.

Marsh reached a well deserved century, before befalling the same fate as Carey, he was caught Overton from the bowling of Willey for 101.  Australia were 296 for 6 in the 48th over,  In spite of 2 centuries they weren’t building a big score.

The photos show Jason Roy taking the catch, he went over the boundary but threw the ball to Overton, incredible fielding! Willey took a further 2 wickets and Australia added a few more runs.  They finished their innings on 310 for 8.

that didn’t feel a huge total to chase for this England team (and I am writing this knowing what then happened at Old Trafford!), even though it would be England’s second highest chase to win.  Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow have built a wonderful partnership at the top of the order, almost taking it in turns to go big!

On this occasion it was Roy who out did Bairstow, he made a great 101 from 83 balls, with 12 Fours and 2 Sixes.  In common with Finch and Marsh he was promptly out after reaching his 100.  Nathan Lyon, included for the first time in the series tempted Roy and he was caught by Marsh.

Roy and Bairstow had put on a record first wicket score of 174 taking just 23.4 overs,  Alex Hales joined Bairstow at 3.  Billy Stanlake who has looked promising in this series took Bairstow’s wicket, he wafted at a ball and was caught by Tim Paine having scored 79 from 66 balls.  England were in control of the run chase.

Joe Root played a cameo role making 27 before being bowled by Agar, Morgan made 15 before being caught by Paine from the bowling of Agar.  England were 244 for 4 in the 37th over.

Australia must have been thrilled to see Jos Buttler coming in to bat.  He wasn’t in the mood for hanging about and made 54 from 29 balls to see England to a 6 wicket victory.  Alex Hales played a more patient innings and finished on 34 not out.