As England impressively levelled their three-match ODI series against Australia with a 135-run win in Adelaide, might they have stumbled upon the perfect bowling formula with one eye on the 2027 Cricket World Cup?
Tom Banton (121 off 99 balls) was rightly named Player of the Match for his second ODI hundred that helped turn things round after a dismal defeat in Perth – from 131 all out to 355-6 in the space of 48 hours – but the bowling was equally impressive.
England’s Tom Banton celebrates his second ODI century against Australia in Adelaide
Gus Atkinson (4-28) claimed career-best ODI figures as he and Sonny Baker (1-45) helped set the tone early on by reducing Australia to 29-4 in the opening seven overs of their run-chase as they were ultimately bowled out for 220.
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“The way England’s bowlers attacked the first 10 overs, they didn’t allow [Mitch] Marsh and [Travis] Head to get away, in terms of giving them any freebies,” former England captain Sir Alastair Cook said on TNT Sports.
“They knew they’d come after them – Head hit a brilliant shot for six off a decent ball – but the way Atkinson and Baker bowled, they were made to work for their runs.
“I really liked how Baker got some movement out of the ball, that’s his role in the side.
“You’ve got Archer and Atkinson who will hit the pitch hard – Archer, in this game, serving as the enforcer in the middle overs – so Baker using his swing up front was impressive.
“The [four] wickets early on made such a difference to the game. It was pretty much done early on, unless there was an extraordinary innings from one of the Aussies.
“Full credit to England for the way they adapted and used their bowlers in the right places.”
Cook added: “Australia is a really hard place to go 1-0 down in any format. They’re great front-runners, so to turn that round like they did after only 48 hours is absolutely superb.
“The leadership group should take a lot of credit for managing to get those players in the right frame of mind after the drubbing they got in Perth.”
Baker-Archer switch grants ‘England ‘two bites at the cherry’
Baker – playing in just his fifth ODI – taking the new ball over Atkinson’s usual accomplice, the more experienced Archer, was a bold move but one that paid off for England.
England fast bowler Gus Atkinson took ODI career-best figures of 4-28 in Adelaide
Though Atkinson was the standout, Baker arguably deserved greater reward for his own probing opening spell, in which he dismissed Marsh (2) and had Josh Inglis dropped – Joe Root taking a stunning catch to dismiss the Australian skipper before he was then the guilty party in putting down Inglis.
“Baker’s enthusiasm, you can tell he just loves playing cricket for England,” former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior added on TNT Sports.
“I’m with Cooky. I’m really pleased that he was given the new ball, where he bowled full and tried to swing it.
“Brook has to take some credit as captain for making that decision.”
England have 14 further ODIs scheduled ahead of the start of the 2027 Cricket World Cup in Africa in 11 months’ time, and so might the Baker and Archer new-ball switch something they look to run with from here?
Jofra Archer took 1-26 from 8.3 overs as he operated in a new role with the ball in the middle overs
“The change in using Jofra Archer through the middle [overs], I like that move,” Australia batting consultant Mike Hussey told TNT Sports.
“It gives England two bites at the cherry. They get to attack with Baker and Atkinson at the start and, if things go well, they’ve got Archer to come in behind that and continue to build pressure.
“Even if things don’t go well at the start, it’s nice to know you’ve got someone of world-class quality to come in to arrest some of the momentum.”
As for who has the edge going into Wednesday’s series decider in Hobart (3.30am UK start time), Hussey fears the worst for Australia.
“England go into the final game with momentum because they’ve managed to turn things around [from Perth] straight away,” he added.
“I think England will certainly take a lot of confidence away from this game. If they take the right attitude again into the final match in Hobart and start well, they’ll be on their way towards a series win.”
Schedule for England’s tour of Australia
ODIs 3.30am UK time, with T20s 8.15am UK time
- First ODI (Perth): Australia won seven wickets
- Second ODI (Adelaide): England won by 135 runs
- Third ODI: Wednesday November 18 (Hobart)
- First T20I: Saturday November 21 (Melbourne)
- Second T20I: Tuesday November 24 (Carrara)
- Third T20I: Friday November 27 (Brisbane)
- Fourth T20I: Sunday November 29 (Sydney)
- Fifth T20I: Wednesday December 2 (Canberra)