England v Australia LIVE: Cricket result and reaction as Harry Brook’s men dominate in 186-run win
England levelled the series with a dominant 186-run victory over Australia at Lord’s
England levelled the series to set up a thrilling decider with a 186-run thrashing of Australia in the fourth ODI of the five-match series at Lord’s.
Liam Livingstone struck a rapid 62 at the end of England’s innings after rain delayed the start of play, forcing a shortened 39-over match, although the hosts secured victory with overs to spare.
Ben Duckett got England off to a solid start with the bat, hitting 63 runs, with Harry Brook coming close to repeating his magnificent century at the Riverside on Tuesday, but falling just 13 runs short with 87.
Liam Livingstone’s impressive display of power hitting, with seven sixes and three fours as he put on 62 from just 27 lifted England to what proved to be a match-winning total of 312.
England bowled expertly, after dismissing the opening partnership of Mitchell Marsh and Travis Head, the wickets tumbled quickly, as the Australians collapsed from 68 without loss to 96 for six and were unable to recover.
It was Australia’s first time back at Lord’s since Alex Carey’s infamous stumping of Jonny Bairstow during the Ashes, which led to ugly scenes in the Long Room between MCC members and touring players, but other than boos for the wicketkeeper when he came out to bat, there was none of the animosity of that affair.
Follow the latest score all the live action between England and Australia in the blog below.
England 23-0 (6) Salt 11, Duckett 10, Hazlewood 0-11 (3)
Hazlewood bowls to Salt who pushes it through backward point for another couple. England have not got going so far, but there is a long time left in this match, even with the reduced overs.
Salt thrashes the ball over second slip for four, it was hit over Steve Smith and he couldn’t quite get his hands there.
Hazlewood follows it up with one that just beats the outside edge, and a punch off the back foot that is stopped in the ring.
England 17-0 (5) Salt 5, Duckett 10, Starc 0-10 (3)
Salt thrashes a drive square, but he doesn’t get the rewards and it’s stopped by Maxwell at backward point.
Salt has whacked one straight back at Starc, it has crashed into the bowler’s foot and deflected off his shin for a couple of runs.
England 14-0 (4) Salt 2, Duckett 10, Hazlewood 0-5 (2)
Hazlewood’s first over was a maiden, and Duckett is just struggling to get him away.
After eight deliveries he had yet to go for any runs, but the next ball he adds to his tally with a quick tuck around the corner for another couple to take England into double figures in the fourth over.
But immediately afterwards he follows it up with one that just goes past the outside edge
A short ball is well pulled away by Duckett for England’s first boundary of the innings and Alex Carey chases it in his unfamiliar position in the field.
England 7-0 (3) Salt 1, Duckett 6, Starc 0-7 (2)
Starc bowls and Duckett drives hard straight back at the bowler, it was a very difficult chance but has been put down and the Australian bowler is there wringing his hand out.
His line and length have been so difficult for both openers and they are struggling to score anything here. Another one goes straight past the outside edge.
Duckett slices one up and over the slips, it was a bit wider and bounces before the man on the boundary, it took him a while to get off the mark, 8 deliveries, but the first sign of width has brought rewards.
He follows it up with another two to long leg, and another pair into the covers.
England 1-0 (2), Salt 1, Duckett 0, Hazlewood 0-0 (1)
Hazlewood will bowl from the Nursery End, the first two balls of the over just go past the outside edge of Phil Salt’s bat.
He has bowled the ideal line and length so far, and the next one goes straight through the England opener.
Salt struck on the pad, comes out of his crease, the ball bobbles behind him as all the players rush towards the wicket, but he is able to get back and put his bat down.
England 1-0 (1), Salt 1, Duckett 0, Starc 0-1 (1)
Starc will kick things off from the pavilion end with ball in hand to bowl against Phil Salt, who manages to tuck one away behind square for the first runs of the England innings.
The single brings Duckett on strike, who has to crab-like dig out a yorker first up, the next one shows a bit of movement and has just defended it into the off side.
On the other side, the sun has been applauded as it comes out from behind the clouds for the first time today. It’s not clear where the blue sky is coming from, but clearly it’s there.
The final ball of the over beats the outside edge of Duckett’s bat on its way through to the wicketkeeper.
Play to start at 2.45pm
The ground staff have been working hard at Lord’s, helped by the impressive drainage:
Weather update: Covers are off
The stumps are going back into the ground, the last of the covers have come off and we are just waiting for an official start time, and to find out how many overs have been lost with the more than two hour delay.
The match has been shortened to 39 overs, 20 minutes at the interval, and will start at 2.45pm.
Weather update: The covers are moving
The super-sopper has stopped and the covers are starting to come off for a second time at Lord’s, but the sky is quite grey over towards Maida Vale, and the rain has not gone far away.
The three umpires in their pink tops and black trousers have come out onto the field to inspect the pitch.
Weather update: Drizzle falls at Lord’s
As soon as the covers went on the rain was the heaviest it had been all day.
Currently it is showing no signs of abating, but the ground staff are working hard and the super-sopper has just come onto the field to try and mop up some of the additional moisture.
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