“We lost some wickets in the powerplay and that killed the chase” : Harry Brook addresses what went wrong in the chase as Australia take a 2-0 lead
An experienced Australian team were able to outwit the Three Lions in the second ODI held in Headingley, winning by 68 runs. The world champions were saved by the well marshalled knocks of Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh who scored 74 and 60 runs respectively, with the former also claiming the man of the match award.
Putting up a respectable target of 270 after getting bowled out in 44.4 overs, Mitchell Starc and co. took up the responsibility in bowling. England were already down five wickets inside the powerplay, making it then virtually impossible to hold up in the remainder of the chase.
The Three Lions were all out in just 40.2 overs, which showed their incredible dominance and team chemistry in both the innings. Although, English youngsters Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell tried to put up a decent fight, but in the end, were not even close to the required target.
“It’s about patience, we’re only two games in” : Harry Brook not concerned after going 2-0 down in the series
As the stand-in skipper in the absence of Jos Buttler, Harry Brook has not had the best time captaining this young and inexperienced squad. The 25-year-old himself was able to put up only four runs in the scoresheet, and revealed what went wrong for the side post-match.
“I think we bowled nicely to restrict them to 270. Headingley is a tough place to bowl. We lost some wickets in the powerplay and that killed the chase. (On the last-wicket partnership) Set batter, wanted to get the no. 11 on strike, they got early boundaries at the start of the over and it’s tough to restrict the strike. Didn’t think I could have done much different,” said the Englishman.
“We have good ball-strikers. We have an inexperience side facing one of the best sides in the world. There are so many positives we can take, we have done everything we said we would do but it’s just that things haven’t gone our way,” Brook added.
Australia at one point were 221 runs in with just one wicket left, but Alex Carey firmly held the strike instead of rotating with Josh Hazlewood. The 33-year-old’s knock included eight fours and three sixes which ultimately led the world champions past 250 easily. The England skipper spoke on this, and revealed they planned to keep Hazlewood on strike, but were unable to plan properly.
Brook also said that patience is key with this new England side, and that they would require more time to grow and adapt.
“We’re a young side, Rash is the highest run-scorer in ODI cricket for us. Inexperienced team playing against one of the best sides in the world – it’s about patience, we’re only two games in,” said the 25-year-old.
The Riverside Ground will be hosting the Aussies this coming Tuesday in the third ODI, and Harry Brook’s team has one final chance left to save the series and make it go their way.
