England v Australia, 2015
Wisden's review of the fifth ODI, England v Australia, 2015
Nick Hoult
15-Apr-2016
At Manchester, September 13. Australia won by eight wickets. Toss: England. One-day international debut: R. J. W. Topley.
The series decider descended into anticlimax, as Australia cruised to victory with more than half their overs unused. England crashed to 22 for three, then lost Morgan, whose brilliant summer ended with a nasty blow on the side of the helmet from Starc, causing concussion; Smith said it brought back memories of the death of Phillip Hughes. Starc, the only member of this Australia side to have played in the match which led to Hughes's death, immediately called for help after Morgan turned his head away from a bouncer. He eventually left the field flanked by medical staff, and did not return, leaving Taylor to captain the side. The match had started with Roy being given out lbw in the first over, a decision that would have been overturned had he or Hales, his partner, asked for a review: technology showed Starc's full toss was comfortably missing leg. Hastings, who owed his mid-series call-up to injury and fatigue in the Australian ranks, had spent the summer with Durham, and his familiarity with English conditions proved crucial as he bowled tightly, and with enough movement, to take three for 21; of his 60 deliveries, 49 were dot balls. Marsh claimed three lbws - and a caught behind - with a wicket-to-wicket line, and England's total of 138 was their lowest at home after choosing to bat, undercutting 176 against Australia at The Oval in 2001. England opened with Willey and ODI debutant Topley, their first all-left-arm new-ball attack in any format since 1933 - E. W. Clark and James Langridge in the second innings against West Indies at Manchester. Willey quickly had Burns chasing a wide one, and Smith was caught behind off Wood to leave Australia 31 for two. But Finch and Bailey ensured no further slip-ups, as a pulsating summer came to a tame conclusion.
Man of the Match: M. R. Marsh.
The series decider descended into anticlimax, as Australia cruised to victory with more than half their overs unused. England crashed to 22 for three, then lost Morgan, whose brilliant summer ended with a nasty blow on the side of the helmet from Starc, causing concussion; Smith said it brought back memories of the death of Phillip Hughes. Starc, the only member of this Australia side to have played in the match which led to Hughes's death, immediately called for help after Morgan turned his head away from a bouncer. He eventually left the field flanked by medical staff, and did not return, leaving Taylor to captain the side. The match had started with Roy being given out lbw in the first over, a decision that would have been overturned had he or Hales, his partner, asked for a review: technology showed Starc's full toss was comfortably missing leg. Hastings, who owed his mid-series call-up to injury and fatigue in the Australian ranks, had spent the summer with Durham, and his familiarity with English conditions proved crucial as he bowled tightly, and with enough movement, to take three for 21; of his 60 deliveries, 49 were dot balls. Marsh claimed three lbws - and a caught behind - with a wicket-to-wicket line, and England's total of 138 was their lowest at home after choosing to bat, undercutting 176 against Australia at The Oval in 2001. England opened with Willey and ODI debutant Topley, their first all-left-arm new-ball attack in any format since 1933 - E. W. Clark and James Langridge in the second innings against West Indies at Manchester. Willey quickly had Burns chasing a wide one, and Smith was caught behind off Wood to leave Australia 31 for two. But Finch and Bailey ensured no further slip-ups, as a pulsating summer came to a tame conclusion.
Man of the Match: M. R. Marsh.