England complete tour clean-sweep of Australia in T20 run-fest
Though the format was different, the story was the same as England’s batting firepower, continuing to establish itself as the most fearsome in the world, put Australia to the sword, setting up a 28-run victory.
England’s opening pair was formidable throughout the ODI series, but the decision was still taken to promote the Jos Buttler to the top slot, a role he performed with aplomb for Rajasthan Royals in the IPL. It paid immediate and huge dividends as he and Jason Roy added a blistering 95 runs in 8.5 overs to get England off to a fast start, Buttler contributing 61 of the total in just 30 balls.
The wicket-keeper has been in rare form recently, notching up five consecutive half-centuries in the IPL - a feat bettered by no one and matched only by Virender Sehwag - earning a Test recall and winning the player of the match award in his second Test back, and then claiming the player of the series award against Australia in the ODI series.
His unbeaten hundred in the last game was one for the ages, rescuing England and securing a one-wicket win, and this was the kind of innings that is often played by someone at the top of their game - no fear, complete confidence, trying whatever you fancy and it invariably coming of. There was one moment of fortune, opening partner Jason Roy unintentionally blocking off the bowler as he attempted a return catch, but in general he swung hard, smashed straight, over cover, and over the leg-side, and by the time he was dismissed, he had England’s fastest T20I fifty to his name.
Roy at the other end was less brutal, but showed his skill nonetheless. The three boundaries he took from the first over got England off to a flier and though he was dismissed six short of fifty, he’d more than done his job.
Cameos from the rest propelled England forward. Joe Root’s 24-ball 34 was the slowest of England’s innings, while Alex Hales’ 24-ball 49 was the fastest, and an important knock personally as England attempt to fit Ben Stokes back into the side when he returns from injury. There were huge hits from Hales, probably the biggest of the day, but also deftness and manipulation, with one late cut in particular drawing coos from the purists.
England’s eventual 221 was their second-highest in T20Is, but with Australia having chased 244 against New Zealand in February there was no room for complacency. Then however, they had David Warner in their line-up, who smashed a 24-ball 59 and though Aaron Finch blasted a 41-ball 84, there was no other contribution to allow Australia to repeat the feat.
It is worth dwelling on Finch’s innings for a moment. He has been Australia’s standout limited-overs batsman in recent times, and seems to enjoy playing against England, against whom he has made six of his 11 ODI tons. His form in the ODI series was excellent, and today he was the match of any of England’s batsmen. The eight boundaries he took off Moeen Ali were a moral victory considering the sway spin had held over Australia’s batsmen during the ODI series, although Adil Rashid enjoyed success again.
The leg-spinner accounted for Finch, encouraging him to hole out to long-on where Chris Jordan clung on excellently, the last of three wickets in a spell which cost just 27. There were wickets for the remainder of England’s attack, and though David Willey claimed just the one, he was the most impressive quick on show, tying Australia down with the new-ball spell, something he wields much more potently in T20Is than in ODIs.
Australia, to their credit, kept coming, No.11 Billy Stanlake even managing to long-arm a six. A ball later however, he chipped to cover, dismissing Australia for 193, and sealing a 28-run win, and a 6-0 scoreline across the tour. England can barely have had it so good in limited-overs cricket, while Australia surely leave England in a worse state than when they arrived.