365 Sporting Days

I’m catching up on writing while I’m watching the first T20 between England and India, looking back to Edgbaston and the only T20 between England and Australia.  Aaron Finch took over the captaincy for this single T20 game, he won the toss and put England in to bat.

England had a change around in the batting order with Jason Roy and Jos Buttler opening.  It was another glorious day and the sun was still beating down as the match started at 6:30.

Buttler had played a patient, match winning innings at Old Trafford, he came out at a very different pace at Edgbaston, we were treated to some thrilling batting as the 2 batsmen took on the Australian bowlers. They put on 95 before Jos Buttler was caught by D’Arcy Short from the bowling of Mitchell Swepson.  Buttler had made 61 from just 30 balls, including 6 Fours and 5 Sixes.  He really is a phenomenal batsman, especially against a white ball,

Eoin Morgan joined Jason Roy, another change in the order, Roy was next to go 2 overs later, he was caught by Finch from the bowling of Billy Stanlake having made 44 from 26 balls.  England were 108 for 2 after 9.3 overs.

Alex Hales came in at 4, with Ben Stokes coming back to fitness his place may well have been at risk before this series started, hopefully his high innings at Trent Bridge as well as a solid 49 in this game will help him keep his spot.

Morgan was next out another wicket for Swepson as he was caught by Andrew Tye for 15.  It was a surprise to see Joe Root coming in ahead of Jonny Bairstow, T20 is a game of speed and although Root scored 35 from 24 balls his strike rate is way below the big hitters in the team.

Hales was caught and bowled by Marcus Stoinis with his 49 from 24 balls.  Jonny Bairstow was next in, he faced 14 balls and hit 2 sixes.  Joe Root was run out with a ball of the 20 overs remaining.  England finished on 221 for 5.

What could Australia do in reply?  Aaron Finch opened the batting with D’Arcy Short.  I imagine most of the Australians couldn’t wait for their quick trip to England to come to an end.   However Finch, who’d made a century at Durham was in the mood for making runs.

Short faced only 12 balls, making 16, before he was out caught by Moeen Ali from the bowling of Liam Plunkett. Glenn Maxwell joined Finch but wasn’t able to keep him company for too long, less than 2 overs to be precise.  Maxwell was bowled by Chris Jordan for 10 and Australia were 33 for 2.

Over the next 5 overs England took the wickets of Travis Head for 15, Alex Carey for 3 and Marcus Stoinis for a Duck.  That all added up to Australia being 72 for 5.  In the meantime Finch was going along nicely.

I saw Aaron Finch score 114 in 64 balls playing for Surrey last Summer, basically winning the match for them.  While he was at the crease Australia were in with a chance.

Ashton Agar who can hold his head high after his tour was in with Finch and the pair put on 86 in just over 6 overs, something for the Australians to take some joy from.  Finch, who’d struggled with the spinners was out to a Rashid ball, caught by Chris Jordan. He’d played a captain’s innings and made 84 from 41 balls with 7 Fours and 6 Sixes.

I’ not sure at what point it happened but Agar ended up with no bat in his hand as it flew across the field!  A weird photo! He made a very creditable 29 before being bowled by Chris Jordan.

Andrew Tye made 20, poor Kane Richardson was out for a Golden Duck, he’d dropped a catch in the England innings, a thoroughly horrible few weeks for him!  Australia made it to the last over, but were all out for 193 giving England a whitewash.  A strange series, made all the harder for the visitors with David Warner and Steve Smith banned and 4 potential front line bowlers injured.